Former Ivory Coast coach Jean-Louis Gasset has tipped Nigeria as favourites to lift the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations ahead of the Elephants.
Gasset led Ivory Coast into the tournament but he left his position as head coach after the country’s poor run of results in the group stage.
The French coach was replaced by his assistant, Emerse Fae who has steered the Elephants into the final where they will battle Nigeria at the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpe on Sunday.
The Super Eagles defeated Ivory Coast 1-0 earlier in the group stage and they finished as runners-up in Group A while the Elephants advanced as one of the best third-placed teams in the group stage.
Gasset told Ouest France: “Ivory Coast are not favourites because Nigeria are higher ranked in Africa and have (Victor) Osimhen, the best African player of the year.
“But with Haller, Adingra and maybe (Nicolas) Pepe, it’s no longer the same team. I knew they would gain momentum. My departure brought peace. I am proud of the Elephants, happy.”
Nigeria are gunning for their fourth AFCON trophy on Sunday and their first since 2013 while Ivory Coast are tw0-time champions of the continent’s foremost football tournament with their last success dating back to 2015.
