Who has qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations final? When is the final and the third place play-off?

ByMatt Jones

Updated 08/02/2024 at 07:43 GMT

Who is through to the final of the Africa Cup of Nations? When is the final of AFCON? Just two teams remain in contention and are within sight of lifting the trophy. There have been some big-name exits and shocks over the last few weeks, with Egypt, Senegal and Ghana all heading home early. Who will be crowned champions, and who will participate in the third place play-off?

South Africa coach Broos says semi-final defeat 'hard to accept'

Who will be crowned 2023 Africa Cup of Nations champions?

The final has been set, after two action-packed semi-finals.

Nigeria came through their last-four clash against South Africa after a dramatic penalty shoot-out, with goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali saving two spot-kicks.

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That was only the climax of a sensational game though, after William Troost-Ekong had given Nigeria the lead, only for Reboho Mokoena to equalise in second-half injury time.

That forced that match into extra-time, when South Africa had Grant Kekana sent off, before former Leicester striker Kelechi Iheanacho converted the winning penalty.

In the other semi-final, Ivory Coast squeezed past DR Congo with a 1-0 victory, courtesy of ex-West Ham United striker Sebastien Haller.

The Borussia Dortmund man linked up with another name familiar to English football fans, former Leeds man Max Gradel, to score in the 66th minute.

That sent the Alassane Ouattara Stadium wild, as The Elephants thrived under the pressure of being host nation.

The result means DR Congo join South Africa in the third place play-off.

Nigeria though will fight it out for a fourth title, having lifted their last crown in 2013 when beating Burkina Faso 1-0 in the final, courtesy of Sunday Mba's strike

And Ivory Coast, under the stewardship of caretaker boss Emerse Fae, continue their quest for a third AFCON crown, the most recent of which came through beating Ghana in 2015.

When does the AFCON final take place?

The Olympic Stadium of Ebimpé is the host venue for the 2023 AFCON final, which takes place on February 11.

Kick off is at 20:00 UK time.

The venue was originally built with the purpose of hosting the 2021 AFCON final, until Cameroon hosted the tournament instead.

The third place play-off is 24 hours before the main event and takes place at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan.

Third place play-off

Saturday February 10

South Africa v DR Congo - 20:00

Final

Sunday February 11

Nigeria v Ivory Coast - 20:00

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