TodayIvory Coast vs Ghana 9pm SS5

BATA - One of West African powerhouses Ivory Coast and Ghana will end their lengthy wait for another Africa Cup of Nations title when they meet in the championship match on Sunday.

The tournament final will be played on Sunday night at Estadio de Bata in Equatorial Guinea.

The Elephants defeated DR Congo 3-1 in their semifinal on Wednesday night to secure a place in the final for the third time in the last nine years and will hope to add to the one continental trophy they claimed back in 1992.

Ivory Coast were beaten in both the 2006 and 2012 Afcon finals on penalties by Egypt and Zambia respectively.

Attacker Gervinho is hopeful that this year they will go all the way and write their names into history for the right reason.

"It was difficult, we faced a good team,” said Gervinho in the aftermath of their win over the Leopards.

"We managed to keep our calm and took advantage of our chances, we were efficient. No matter how you do it, you have to win this kind of games and it’s what we did.

"We are going to enjoy the moment, it has been a long way for us. We’ll get back to work. This time we must win the final.”

Ghana moved a step closer to ending their 33-year wait for a fifth Afcon title when they cruised past host side Equatorial Guinea in the second semifinal on Thursday, winning 3-0 in Malabo.

One of the goal scorers in that game, Andre Ayew, says the Black Stars will have no fear of coming up against Ivory Coast, who start the match as favourites.

"Nobody is scared of nobody,” said Ayew. "I think it is a big game where there will be big players and it is going to be tough for everyone. So I believe that the better side on that day will take it.”

Ivory Coast and Ghana have met in 30 official international matches. The Black Stars have claimed 12 wins, one more than the Elephants’ 11, while seven encounters have been drawn.

The teams’ most famous meeting is the 1992 Afcon final which ended 0-0 before the Elephants won a marathon penalty shootout 11-10 to claim their only continental championship.

Agencies