The Nigerian Tremendous Eagles will tackle hosts Ivory Coast on Sunday, aiming to make historical past by turning into solely the third workforce to defeat an AFCON host within the closing. This 12 months's closing marks their second match in opposition to the Elephants, having already recorded a 1-0 victory within the group stage.
To elevate their fourth AFCON trophy, the Tremendous Eagles should observe within the footsteps of Ghana and Cameroon, the one two groups to attain the feat. In 1982, Ghana defeated Libya on penalties after a 2–2 draw, whereas Cameroon repeated the feat in 2000, beating Nigeria 4–3 on penalties after a 2–2 draw.
Traditionally, host nations have achieved important success within the AFCON finals. Since 2006, solely Egypt (2006) and Tunisia (2004) have managed to capitalize on dwelling benefit and declare the title. South Africa (1996), Algeria (1990) and Egypt (1986) additional illustrate the ability of enjoying in entrance of a passionate dwelling crowd.
Cameroon have fun after beating Nigeria's Tremendous Eagles on penalties in the course of the 2000 AFCON finals in Lagos.
Nigeria themselves skilled this benefit by successful their first AFCON title on dwelling soil in 1980, beating Algeria within the closing. As well as, Ghana (1978, 1963), Sudan (1970) and Ethiopia (1962) all achieved victories as hosts in earlier editions.
Regardless of the statistical odds, the Tremendous Eagles have the expertise and willpower to beat historical past. Their victory over Ivory Coast within the group stage is a confidence booster, and their general efficiency all through the event was commendable.
Sunday's closing guarantees to be an exhilarating encounter, charged with the feelings of a house crowd determined for victory and the ambition of a workforce trying to etch its identify in AFCON historical past. Whatever the end result, this match is bound to be a spectacle for African soccer followers world wide.
Host nation Egypt celebrates after successful the 2006 AFCON.
Forward of Sunday's massive match, right here's a have a look at what number of instances AFCON hosts have at all times grow to be champions in the event that they attain the finals.
AFCON 2006 (EGYPT)
The final time an AFCON host reached the finals and received was Egypt within the 2006 version.
After an excellent run to the ultimate, Egypt wrapped up the event with a hard-fought victory in opposition to Didier Drogba's Ivorian aspect, 4-2 on penalties, after the 120 minutes ended goalless.
AFCON 2004 (TUNISIA)
Tunisia's Carthage Eagles claimed their first and solely AFCON title after they hosted the competitors.
In a North African derby match with the Atlas Lions from Morocco, Tunisia triumphed 2-1 to finish an exquisite event.
AFCON 1996 (SOUTH AFRICA)
Bafana Bafana of South Africa made their debut on the AFCON after they hosted the event in 1996.
Boosted by a raucous dwelling crowd, South Africa grew to become African champions on the first time of asking.
Beneath the late Clive Baker, South Africa defeated heavyweights equivalent to Cameroon, Algeria and Ghana to succeed in the ultimate, the place they defeated Tunisia 2-0 to be topped African champions.
AFCON 1990 (ALGERIA)
Algeria was given the glory of internet hosting the 1990 AFCON and ultimately received it due to a 1-0 win in opposition to Nigeria within the closing.
Ten years earlier (1980) they’d certified for the ultimate, however misplaced 3-0 to Nigeria.
AFCON 1986 (EGYPT)
The internet hosting proper of the 1986 AFCON went to Egypt, which they ultimately received to clinch their third continental title.
Nonetheless, it was not straightforward for Egypt within the closing as they needed to depend on penalties to beat then reigning champions Cameroon.
After common time ended 0-0, the Pharaohs received 5-4 on penalties.
AFCON 1980 (NIGERIA)
Nigeria captain Christian Chukwu is congratulated by Nigerian President Shehu Shagari (l) as he lifts the African Cup of Nations following his workforce's 3-0 win over Algeria. (Picture by Peter Robinson/EMPICS)
Nigeria was given the internet hosting proper of the 1980 version of AFCON, which they received after defeating Algeria.
Due to a brace from Segun Odegbami and a solitary strike from the late Muda Lawal, Nigeria clinched its first AFCON trophy.
AFCON 1978 (GHANA)
The internet hosting proper of the 1978 AFCON went to Ghana and so they made their dwelling benefit depend as they claimed a 3rd continental title.
Within the closing, which was performed on the Accra Sports activities Stadium, the Black Stars defeated Uganda 2-0.
AFCON 1970 (SUDAN)
For the second time, Sudan received the internet hosting proper of the AFCON after they welcomed different African groups in 1970.
Not like the primary AFCON version in 1957, which Sudan hosted and which was received by Egypt, the Sudanese grew to become African champions due to a 1-0 win in opposition to Ghana within the closing.
AFCON 1963 (GHANA)
Ghana grew to become the primary West African nation to host the AFCON when it was awarded the rights to the 1963 version.
The Black Stars grew to become African champions for the primary time after they defeated Sudan 3-0 within the closing.
AFCON 1962 (ETHIOPIA)
Ethiopia grew to become the third nation to obtain internet hosting rights for the AFCON in 1962.
The Ethiopians made dwelling benefit depend as they grew to become kings of African soccer after beating then reigning champions Egypt 4-2 after further time within the closing.
AFCON 1959 (EGYPT)
After Egypt received the primary version of the AFCON in 1957, they organized the event in 1959.
The Pharaohs grew to become the primary hosts of the AFCON to be topped champions.
With solely three groups (Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan) collaborating within the 1959 event, the Egyptians received in a round-robin format, with Sudan ending second and Ethiopia third.
