When two elephants fight

By Tony Ubani

The Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan will be the cynosure of all eyes today when Cote d’Ivoire and Nigeria go for each other’s jugular in their crucial Africa Cup of Nations match.

The Elephants of Ivory Coast made a strong start in their opening match, putting Guinea Bissau to the sword 2-0 while the Super Eagles were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by the ‘Panya’ team.


Like the African proverb says, ‘’When two elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers’’. The fans of the two countries have been providing scenes here ahead of the decisive heavyweight game in the battle to win the group or even to stay safe.


One thing that would be prominently displayed from the background is the display and efficacy of Juju, African power. Spells, for those who believe in them, would be at its best. Is it the power prayer of Nigeria or the sprinkling of animal blood or the sacrifices or even burying the animals that would determine who wins? The Ivorian fans right from the airport on arrival have been showing two fingers to Nigerians. That simply means that they would beat Nigeria by two goals. In turn, trust Nigerians. Five fingers were flashed back in reply.

We know that in football, there is no specific side that can lay claim to God. We’ve seen teams congregating and praying before the start of the game, and yet they lose. We also know that successful people are not gifted, they work hard, and then succeed.

Chairman of Nigeria Football supporters club, Rev Sam Ikpea who is Nigeria’s cheerleader said that they would not be intimidated by people carrying pots with flames on their heads.

‘’Right from inception, we’ve always believed in God, and he has not disappointed us. The God who created all those works of human hands which they believe in will humble them today. Let our players put in their best and leave the spiritual war for us’’, Ikpea emphasized.

Is it another battle between Baal and God? The main battle will be on the pitch but the drama will be on the stands.

The game kicks off 6pm Nigerian time.
Ivory Coast vs Nigeria Head-to-Head

This will be Ivory Coast and Nigeria’s seventh meeting at the Africa Cup of Nations. As things stand, they can’t be separated. Of their six games for far, they have won two each and drawn two, scoring five goals each. Their last AFCON meeting was in 2013. Nigeria won 2-1 in the quarter-finals and went on to lift the trophy. The three previous meetings between Ivory Coast and Nigeria in the group stage of the tournament have produced only two goals (0-0 in 1980, 1-0 to Nigeria in 1990, 1-0 to Ivory Coast in 2008).