Favoured Ivory Coast face Ghana in 'dream' final

1992 champions up against familiar rivals in African Cup of Nations

BATA: Ivory Coast face what is likely to be their sternest test of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations when they tackle Ghana on Sunday in what has been dubbed the 'dream' final.

Two of Africa's football powerhouses are in dire need of a continental trophy after long, frustrating waits.

Ghana have won the Cup of Nations four times but their last conquest was 33 years ago, while the Ivorians only triumph was in 1992 and, ironically, it was at the expense of Ghana.

Former Nigeria skipper Sunday Oliseh, who won the Cup of Nations in 1994 and came close to another title in 2000, has tipped Ivory Coast to win, but also warned Ghana are capable of causing an upset.

"Ivory Coast are clear favourites to win the final," said Oliseh on his website. "Player for player, Ivory Coast have better individuals than Ghana and they are playing better as a team now, especially when not in possession.

"[But] Ghana are quite impressive and are becoming unpredictable and champion material.”

The ‘new generation’ Ghana have flourished under former Chelsea manager Avram Grant and displayed strong character throughout this campaign.

"The boys do not give up, they have fought till the end of every match," remarked skipper Asamoah Gyan, who remains an injury doubt after sustaining an abdominal injury in the quarter-final against Guinea.

 

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