The streets of Cote d’Ivoire’s commercial capital, Abidjan, were agog on Wednesday as fans discussed and anticipated the epic clash between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and host Cote d’Ivoire on Thursday.

The match is the second for both teams in Group A of the ongoing AFCON 2023.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ivorian fans draped in their orange, white, and green flags were seen dancing, while joints blare music and big screens dot all corners of the city.

“We are ready for the match tomorrow against Nigeria; this is going to be a very interesting match because both countries are superpowers in African football.

“I am confident we will beat Nigeria tomorrow,” Yao Kouassi, who owns a bar in the city, told NAN.

Aminata Kouadio, who owns a restaurant close to the Alassane Ouattara Stadium, said business has been good since the start of the tournament.

She expressed confidence in the ability of the elephants to trample on the super eagles on Thursday.

“Our team will trample on your Eagles tomorrow,” she said in a smattering of English.

Some Nigerian residents in the city also said the Super Eagles had all it took to defeat Cote d’Ivoire, but only if they upped their game.

Emmanuel Okafor, a businessman resident in the city, said the Nigerian community will be going to the stadium to support the Super Eagles, despite the economic crunch.

“I have been living here for more than six years, so I know the city very well. It is always like this when there is a major football match.

“So I want to appeal to our players to do us proud tomorrow. We’ll be going to the stadium to support them all the way, he said.

NAN reports that the match comes up at 5 p.m. (local time) at the 60,000-capacity Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan. (NAN)

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