Will Lionel Messi finally lift the World Cup trophy? We look ahead to France v Argentina and hear from Messi's former team-mate Pablo Zabaleta. Mani Djazmi and Pat Nevin are joined by L'Equipe journalist Loïc Tanzi and Argentinean broadcaster Francisco Cánepa ahead of the final. And, as a bonus for podcast listeners, World Cup winner Cesc Fabregas explains what it was like to get his hands on the most famous trophy in football. Picture on website: Pyrotechnics explode around a giant FIFA World Cup trophy prior to the semi final match between France and Morocco. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)

Looking ahead to the World Cup final

Original football stories and interviews from around the globe.

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John Bennett presents reaction from outside the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan after a dramatic Africa Cup of Nations final between hosts Ivory Coast and Nigeria. John gets perspective from both nations as he’s joined by Ivorian football journalist Salia Dramé and Nigerian broadcaster Fisayo Dairo. Friend of the pod George Addo also drops by to give his view on the tournament.

Haller the hero for hosts Ivory Coast as they are crowned Afcon champions

John Bennett is joined by former Cameroon and Tottenham defender Sebastien Bassong to look ahead to the Africa Cup of Nations final between Ivory Coast and Nigeria in Abidjan. We hear from former Arsenal defender Johan Djourou on his mentoring relationship with one of the Ivorian stars of the tournament, Brighton winger Simon Adingra. We also go behind the scenes in the Nigeria camp with their ex media officer Oluwatoyin Ibitoye who is now following the team as a broadcaster.

The Final Countdown: Ivory Coast v Nigeria

In a bonus episode, John Bennett is joined by a legend of Ivory Coast football and 2015 Africa Cup of Nations winner Kolo Toure. The former Arsenal and Manchester City defender shares his Afcon memories, including lifting the trophy in 2015. He also assesses the current squad, and looks ahead to the final against Nigeria.

Kolo Toure: Ivory Coast winning Afcon would be “incredible”

John Bennett is joined by a host of guests to react to the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals in Ivory Coast.
 
Ivorian football journalist Salia Dramé and Afcon broadcaster Patrick Juillard join John to assess the hosts' 1-0 win over DR Congo which sees them through to the final.
 
We are also joined by former South African captain Dean Furman and Nigerian writer Fisayo Dairo after the Super Eagles beat Bafana Bafana on penalties.

The Elephants v The Super Eagles: Ivory Coast and Nigeria reach final

John Bennett is joined by former DR Congo captain Gabriel Zakuani as they look ahead to the semi-finals at the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast. We hear how Gaby rates the chances of his nation against the hosts Ivory Coast, while the guys assess how Nigeria may manage without star striker Victor Osimhen should he not be fit to face South Africa. We also catch up with pod regular Sebastien Bassong and get his views on the final four, plus we hear from legendary Cameroon goalkeeper Joseph Antoine-Bell, who gives us his assessment of South Africa’s Ronwen Williams following his standout performance in the quarter-finals, saving four penalties against Cape Verde.

Looking ahead to the World Cup final

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