Africa Cup of Nations final soo far

• 44'

  It is looking more and more like we will head scoreless into the break. Despite both side's best efforts, defending has been top notch throughout the first half and a breakthrough has never really appeared imminent. The rain has not let up either, which certainly has played its part on the match.
• 42'

  Barry with an appaling clearance straight at Gyan, but the striker cannot beat Kanon to take the chance. Afful follows up and commits a hard foul, but escapes with only a warning as the referee refrains from taking out a card.
• 40'

  GREAT DEFENDING! Gervinho shows excellent skill, quickly changing his pace to beat Baba on the right and breaking into the area. The left-back recovers incredibly well, however, to reach in from behind and dispossess the tricky Roma forward. That was a very important intervention.
• 38'

  Tiene goes hard into the back of Mubarak, which presents Ghana with a chance from the ensuing set piece. The midfielder delivers into the area from 40 yards out, but Barry comes off his line with confidence to collect.
• 36'

  SIDE-NETTING! Great pass from Mubarak to pick out the diagonal run of Andre Ayew, playing the Marseille man through on goal. Bailly applies good pressure, however, staying with him stride for stride, forcing the shot wide.
• 34'

  LUCKY! A long, innocent ball played into the area for Gervinho is covered well by Afful. The right-back tries to volley it clear, but scuffs it back towards his own goal. Luckily for him, Brimah was paying close attention as the keeper manages to collect without much of an issue.
• 32'

  The pace has slowed a bit and the game is becoming a bit of a chess match in midfield. The two sides are playing very disciplined, knowing with the quality in attack for both teams, one simple mistake could well be the difference between winning the title and going home empty-handed.
• 30'

  After such a lively start from Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana have managed to settle in and level the playing field. It has been a very even match in the last 10-15 minutes and for all the pressure the Elephants have managed, it is the Black Stars who have come closest to opening the scoring.
• 28'

  Good decision by the referee! Serey Die slides into a challenge with Gyan and the striker flies through the air rather theatrically. The Cote d'Ivoire man is already on a yellow, and the referee shows him mercy as he walks away with only a warning. It turns out to be the right decision as the midfielder made contact with the ball first, so it would have been incredibly harsh - not to mention incorrect - had he been sent off there.
• 26'

  NEARLY THE OPENER! So unlucky for Christian Atsu, who does so well to get by a couple of defenders and create space for a shot. He unleashes a rocket at goal and has Barry beaten, but strikes it off the woodwork! He certainly has a knack for scoring from distance!
• 24'

  Wonderful build up play between Bony and Gradel, but the winger just slips at the vital moment as the now Manchester City forward had played a return pass to him at the top of the area, allowing Mensah to clear.
• 22'

  Asamoah Gyan has gotten away with one here, as he stomps on the foot of Eric Bertrand Bailly behind the referee's back. The intent was certainly there and the defender has come out worse for wear. The Black Stars captain could very well have been off had the referee seen the inexcusable stomp.
• 20'

  Much better spell here for the Black Stars who manage to string a few passes together in the attacking half. They cannot find a way to break down this stingy Cote d'Ivoire defence just yet, but this is certainly a start. They seem a bit timid when they enter the final third as the nerves of a cup final show their effects.
• 18'

  STAT ATTACK: This is a rematch of the 1992 final between Ivory Coast and Ghana, which the Elephants won in the 12th round of the shootout after the game finished scoreless after 90 minutes and extra time.
• 16'

  FIRED OVER! Horrible defending by Rahman Baba who gives the ball away carelessly inside his own end and then gets caught out as Max Gradel is slipped through on goal. From a bit of a difficult angle, the Saint-Etienne forward puts his shot just high and wide at the near corner.
• 14'

  Yellow Card G. Serey Die
• 14'

  Simple save! Yaya Toure's shot is collected easily by Brimah and the keeper starts Ghana on a counter, though possession is again squandered. Serey Die looks to start his team forward but gets his studs up into the groin of Mubarak on the follow through. The midfielder picks up a yellow card and there is a coming together here with the Ghana players hardly pleased with the contact made.
• 13'

  Great run from Siaka Tiene who streaks down the left and cuts into the centre with real intent. He sees Mubarak giving chase and allows the midfielder to put in a challenge, winning his side a dangerous free kick from 30 yards out. This is a real chance for Cote d'Ivoire...
• 11'

  Ghana have settled in nicely at the back now, keeping the Elephants out and making some important interceptions. They have shown no ability to keep possession, however, which has prevented them from once entering the final third with more than 10 minutes gone already.
• 9'

  The team sheet may say four at the back, but it does appear as though Cote d'Ivoire are playing with a back three, using Serge Aurier and Siaka Tiene as wing-backs. It has provided them with plenty of width to their attack as Ghana look a bit stretched in midfield at the moment. Christian Atsu and Andre Ayew must honour their defensive obligations or it could be a long night for the Black Stars.
• 7'

  Ghana have yet to really settle into the match but they need to get sorted quickly here. They are struggling to keep possession which has allowed Cote d'Ivoire to apply relentless pressure on the back four. With the quality they have in attack, the Black Stars can ill-aford to sit back and defend for 90 minutes. Slow starts were a bit of an issue for them in the group stage.
• 5'

  Early pressure from Cote d'Ivoire and that will have to please coach Herve Renard. They win themselves a corner, but Ghana clear. It goes only as far as Serey Die who latches onto the end of it for a shot, but Rahman Baba gets a good block in to deny the opportunity. Pressure remains on, however, and the Elephants win themselves another corner.
• 3'

  Lively start from the Elephants who create the first trouble of the match for Ghana on the counter. Gervinho shows excellent pace to get behind the midfield, but a strong touch lets him down as John Boye makes a poised challenge to sniff out the chance.
• 1'

  The Elephants kick-off and this tasty final is underway! Cote d'Ivoire are in orange. Ghana in white. This has all the makings of a classic, so sit back and enjoy the action!