Drogba fires Elephants into final
The £24 million striker was gifted a simple chance to score in the 47th minute and made no mistake as the Elephants continued to upset the odds by reaching only their second final.
The Super Eagles were second best for much of the contest and teenage prodigy John Obi Mikel, who has expressed his desire to join Drogba at Stamford Bridge, was largely a spectator as Nigeria were denied their third final in 12 years.
Drogba even took time out of the Ivorians' exuberant victory celebrations to console Mikel at the final whistle.
Nigeria sent on Bolton star Jay-Jay Okocha to make possibly his final international appearance.
He replaced Mikel the man tipped to succeed him as the creative talisman in the side and within five minutes struck a 30-yard free-kick which was gratefully claimed by Ivory Coast goalkeeper Jean-Jacques Tizie.
Nigeria continued to press for an equaliser in the closing stages but the Elephants were in tireless mood, led by Drogba, who made a number of timely interventions as he helped out in defence.
The win is bad news for Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, who desperately wants Ivory Coast defenders Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Eboue back to boost his weakened defence.
Tottenham striker Mido protested long and loud at being substituted by Egypt coach Hassan Shehata as the hosts overcame Senegal 2-1 in the second semi-final in Cairo.
The 22-year-old threw a tantrum as he was replaced by Amr Zaki, but his coach's decision proved to be inspired as the new man headed in the winner with 10 minutes to go.
The victory was tainted though when Senegal were denied a penalty in the last minute as West Brom forward Diomansy Kamara was tripped by Ibrahim Said.
Captain Ahmed Hassan put Egypt ahead with a twice-taken penalty in the first half but Mamadou Niang equalised with a well-placed header.
The result will please a number of Barclays Premiership bosses, with six of Senegal's squad now returning to their English clubs.
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