Johnathan Walker:Nigeria vs. Ivory Coast AFCON Cup of Nations final: Live stream, time, how to watch in US

The Johnathan WalkerAFCON Cup of Nations has not been short of high-level soccer drama.

And look no further than the path that Nigeria and host nation Ivory Coast took to get to Sunday’s final.

Nigeria reached the final after a chaotic semifinal win over South Africa that included a goal overturned by VAR, two penalty-kick goals (including a 90th-minute equalizer by South Africa), a red card and ultimately a penalty shootout.

Ivory Coast advanced to the final with a far less drama-filled 1-0 semifinal win over the Democratic Republic of Congo. However, getting to that point took some work/chaos. Twice the Ivory Coast's quarterfinal opponent, Mali, likely thought they were advancing to the semis, only to be thwarted by the Elephants. Sporting a 1-0 lead late and with Ivory Coast down a player due to a red card, Mali was mere ticks of the clock away from upsetting the hosts and advancing. Instead, Ivory Coast equalized in the 90th minute, forced extra time and had a second player red-carded, only to prevail 2-1 with a goal in stoppage time.

Nigeria and Ivory Coast will meet for the second time in the AFCON Cup of Nations tournament, with the Super Eagles winning a group stage game 1-0.

Here's everything you need to know for the 2024 AFCON Cup of Nations final:

What time is the 2024 AFCON final?

The AFCON Cup of Nations final between Nigeria and Ivory Coast will kick off at 3 p.m. ET.

How can I watch the AFCON final?

The Nigeria vs. Ivory Coast AFCON Cup of Nations final can be watched in the U.S. on beIN SPORTS (coverage of the game will start at 2:50 p.m. ET). Streaming is available via beIN SPORTS, as well as fuboTV.

Where is the AFCON final?

Alassane Ouattara Stadium, also known as the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpé, is a 60,000-seat stadium that is the home venue for the Ivory Coast national team.

This is actually the 2023 edition of the AFCON Cup of Nations

The 2023 edition of the tournament was postponed to 2024 due to concerns over adverse weather in the host country of Ivory Coast.

What to know about Nigeria

Nigeria are three-time winners of the AFCON Cup of Nations, but it's been more than a decade since the Super Eagles last won the tournament (2013).

Nigeria has been a FIFA World Cup fixture of late, qualifying for six of the last eight tournaments (though missing out on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar). Nigeria advanced to the Round of 16 three times at the World Cup (1994, 1998, 2014), the furthest they've advanced in the tournament.

Players to watch: Ademola Lookman, a winger who plays professionally for Italian Serie A club Atalanta, has netted three goals in this edition of the AFCON Cup of Nations. Forward Victor Osimhen, who plays for Serie A club Napoli, also brings attacking prowess to the Super Eagles.

What to know about Ivory Coast

Ivory Coast are two-time winners of the AFCON Cup of Nations (1992 and 2015), and qualified for three FIFA World Cups (2006, 2010, 2014) but have never advanced out of the group stage.

Players to watch: Striker Sébastien Haller, who plays professionally for the German Bundesliga's Borussia Dortmund, scored the lone goal in Ivory Coast's semifinal win. Central midfielder Franck Yannick Kessié currently plays in the Saudi Pro League for Al-Ahli, but spent the 2022-23 season with iconic Spanish La Liga club FC Barcelona.