Good evening! The Africa Cup of Nations comes to its conclusion this evening as two of the continents heavyweights go head-to-head for the title. Ivory Coast and Ghana are both previous champions in this competitions, and have both looked increasingly impressive as this year's competition has progressed.

Ghana finished top in the highly-anticipated Group C, finishing above Algeria, Senegal and South Africa. They didn't look convincing in the groups, but have cruised through the knockout stages, beating Guinea 3-0 in the quarter-finals before thrashing host nations Equatorial Guinea by the same score in the last four, resulting in a riot in the stadium by the home fans.

Ivory Coast also progressed to the knockout stage as group winners, despite winning just one match in the closely-fought Group D. Convincing 3-1 wins over Algeria and Congo DR in the quarters and semis respectively has seen Ivory Coast reach the show piece, and they've looked increasingly dominant. Yaya Toure didn't have much of an impact in their first couple of matches, while Gervinho was suspended for two of the group matches, but with those two finding their form in the last two outings, Ivory Coast are peaking just at the right time.

The team news is out, so let's take a looks at the starting lineups...

IVORY COAST STARTING XI: Barry, Bailly, Kolo Toure, Kanon, Aurier, Yaya Toure, Die, Tiene, Gradel, Bony, Gervinho

GHANA STARTING XI: Brimah, Afful, Boye, Mensah, Baba, Acquah, Wakaso, Atsu, Appiah, Andre Ayew, Gyan

There just the one change for Ivory Coast to the side that won their semi final, with the more experienced Boubacar Barry returning between the posts in place of Sylbain Gbohouo after overcoming an injury. Max Gradel is still preferred to Cheick Tiote after impressing while filling in up front for Gervinho during the group stage.

The good news for Ghana is that Asamoah Gyan has recovered from the hip injury that kept him on the bench in the semis. He starts up front alongside Andre Ayew, who is currently the joint top scorer at this year's AFCON.

Ghana will be hoping for a less eventful end to this match than in their previous game. The action was halted for 30 minutes in their 3-0 win over Equatorial Guinea while the home fans rioted, resulting in a helicopter circling low over the stadium as the unrest was dealt with. CAF general secretary Hicham El Amrani told BBC Sport that security will be tighter for this match: "We have re-coordinated with the security people to make sure key points that were maybe a bit loose in previous matches are better secured. We have a higher number of security people but the most important thing is the head of state addressed the nation to call them to come peacefully and celebrate what their country has done by organising this tournament."

This match will be a rematch of the 1992 final, which resulted in Ivory Coast securing their only title to date. On that occasion, they needed penalties to see off Ghana.

Ahead of this match, Gervinho said at a press conference: "It has been a long time since we have had a final between Ghana and Ivory Coast and we want to write our history too. This is our chance and we hope to take it. We are very motivated. From the beginning of this competition, we said we have six games to play, we have played five and there is one remaining."

Meanwhile, Ghana coach Avram Grant told reports: "We came from a long way, no-one gave us a chance before the tournament but we concentrated on what we were doing. I think this group of players has shown a lot of motivation and they'll show it in the final. Every game we have played better and better, so I hope we continue like this. I know we're playing against a very good team with very good players but we've also seen that we can do our job."

While extra time and penalties are a possibility this evening, draws are rare between these two sides. In their nine previous meeting in the Africa Cup of Nations, only the 1992 final have ended with the sides level after 90 minutes.

Manchester City new boy Wilfried Bony has looked increasingly threatening in front of goal as the tournament has progressed. He didn't find the back of the net in the group stage, but netted twice in the quarter-finals, and has three assists to his name. He's only the only player in the tournament that has scored more than one headed goal, so his presence in the air will be something for Ghana to keep an eye on tonight.

Yesterday, the beaten semi-finalists, Equatorial Guinea and Congo DR, played off for the right to finish third in the competition. It finish goalless, but Congo DR managed to edge it on penalties.

Both sides have been in impressive goal-scoring form in their last couple of matches, each scoring three goals in their two knockout stage outings. Ghana have been pretty tight at the back, facing just six on target shots so far, but Ivory Coast have faced 17.

While Ghana are led by former Chelsea manager Avram Grant, Ivory Coast have a coach that has previously led a side to AFCON victory. Herve Renard guided Zambia to victory last time the event was held in Equatorial Guinea just three years ago.

There are plenty of pre-match formalities to get through, including meeting FIFA president Sepp Blatter and Equatorial Guinea president, so the players make their way out nice and early.

As the presidents make their way off the pitch, the anthems of the two nations fill the stadium. Both sides have plenty of support in a reasonably full Bata stadium.

It's handshakes all around as the captains exchange gifts and the coaches share a friendly moment. It's almost time for kickoff!

KICKOFF! Ivory Coast get the match underway.

Wakaso is under the cosh early on as Ivory Coast make a physical start to the match. Renard's side manage to steal the ball away though, allowing Gervinho to make a run at the Ghana goal, but he takes a touch too many while waiting for Bony to catch up, allowing Mensah to guide it to Razak.

Gervinho is really up for this final! He makes another quick burst forward before cutting in from the right, but Baba Rahman does enough to put it behind for a corner. The delivery back in falls to Die, but his powerful strike is blocked by Baba.

Serge Aurier goes for the spectacular from another Ivory Coast corner, attempting an ambitious overhead bicycle kick, but he misses the ball. He gets another chance as Bony chips it back it, but Boye gets it clear. Ivory Coast appeal for handball against the defender, but it's a rather cheeky shout as it clearly hit his midriff.

Ivory Coast continue to dictate the pace in the early stages of this final. Gradel and Baba Rahman have a bit of a coming together, and the former Leeds striker goes down somewhat easily, leading to a heated exchange of words between the two players. Gradel has the last laugh though, as he forces a corner moments later, although it's cleared by Appiah.

PENALTY APPEAL! Yaya Toure looks to the referee for a spot kick as he takes a tumble under pressure from Acquah, but the referee isn't interested. It did looks like a rather dramatic fall from the African Footballer of the Year, who has a noteworthy size advantage over the Ghana defender.

CHANCE! Bony is brought down just over 20 yards out to give Ivory Coast a free kick in a dangerous position, and Yaya Toure lines it up. He curls it in accurately, but his finish lacks power, leaving Razak with a comfortable stop.

BOOKING! Serey Die is the first player to be shown a yellow card as he leaves his foot up while trying to beat Wakaso to a high ball, catching the Ghana winger in the groin.

CHANCE! Gervinho makes another counter-attacking move for Ivory Coast, playing the ball in for Gradel, but the striker slices his shot well high of the target.

Ghana are making the Ivory Coast defenders work for the the first time as Ayew sends the ball in high for Gyan, but Kolo Toure beats him to it. Ghana manage to force a corner, but the delivery back into the box is overhit, going straight out the other side.

Ivory Coast quickly get back down the other end, but Yaya Toure puts too much on a through-ball for Bony, before Boye loses out to Baba while trying to set up another opportunity.

Yaya Toure plays the ball forward for Bony, who quickly finds Gradel. The striker tries to play it back for the forward, but he loses his footing, allowing Ghana to get it clear.

OFF THE POST! Christian Atsu, out of nowhere, almost hands Ghana the lead against the run of play as he unleashes a serving effort from the edge of the box, but it's kept out by the upright. That would have been a spectacular goal for the on-loan Everton winger.

Serey Die is living dangerously as he clatters into Appiah, having already been booked. He earns a stern talking to from the referee, but he stays on the pitch. That must surely be a final warning for the Ivory Coast midfielder.

Ghana seem more confident since Atsu's effort a few minutes ago as he and Ayew try to put Ivory Coast under pressure again, but they can't find a way through. It's become a much more even contest in the last few minutes after Ivory Coast dominated the opening 20 minutes.

Bony tries to set something up for Ivory Coast, hitting the ball on the turn after a decent through-ball from Yaya Toure, but his finishing touch was lacking on this occasion.

Bailly makes a blistering run forward for Ivory Coast before passing for Gradel, whose ball in for Bony is intercepted by Afful, but the defender leaves Razak with a tricky stop as he nods it back to the keeper.

Atsu carves out some space on the edge of the box, but his cross in towards Appiah is overhit, and ends up in the side-netting.

CHANCE! Andre Ayew just slips as he tries to squeeze the ball in from a tight angle, but it ends up going just wide of the near post. Ghana are certainly looking the more likely at the minute.

Ghana win a free kick just outside the box, but Wakaso curls in towards Ayew, but Barry just manages to beat him to it, although he needs two attempts to get hold of it.

Gervinho battles hard with Baba initially appearing to get the better of the Ghana defender near the corner flag, but Baba battles back to steal it away from the Roma striker and boot it clear. Gervinho certainly caused problems it the opening few minutes, but hasn't seen as much of the ball as the half has progressed.

There's a moment of concern for Barry as he makes a poor clearance, slicing the ball to Appiah. However, his ball in towards Ayew is shockingly bad, allowing Ivory Coast to rescue to situation.

Gradel gets a turn in inside the box before trying to lift it over the keeper and into the top corner as the rain starts to pour down in the final moments of this first half, but his finish it just short.

So at the interval, it's still all to play for as neither side manage to break the deadlock in the opening 45 minutes. Ivory Coast made the better start, but it was Ghana who came closest when Christian Atsu hit the post.

Ghana saw slightly more of the ball in the first half, with 54% of the possession, but Ivory Coast had more chance with four, twice as many as their opponent, and they've also had the only on-target effort from a Yaya Toure free kick.

Here's Wilfried Bony battling for a high ball with Jonathan Mensah during the opening 45 minutes:

HALF-TIME #AFCON2015FINAL 🏆 Cote d'Ivoire 0-0 Ghana #CIVGHA #AFCON2015 pic.twitter.com/jWnDpNyiSz

— CAF (@CAF_Online) February 8, 2015

Serey Die could be one player finding himself heading off early on in the second half. The midfielder was booked inside the opening 15 minutes, and was spoken to by the ref again after that. He could be subbed before he's sent off. Meanwhile, Jordan Ayew is on the bench for Ghana, and could add some decent pace should they need some fresh legs later in the match.

The players are starting to make their way back out ready for the second half.

RESTART! Ghana gets the second half underway.

Gervinho tries to make another pacy run down the flank before cutting inside, but he loses hit footing while trying to round Baba, and Ghana manage to clear the danger. Incidentally, the heavy rain that was starting to fall at the end of the first half appears to have eased up during the interval.

Appiah bursts into the box and tries to cross in towards Ayew and Wakaso, but it's blocked by Kanon and goes out for a corner. Bony is back to help in defence, and he nods it clear to Acquah, who effort from 20 yards is well high.

CHANCE! Ghana suddenly break as Atsu makes a superb run down the right before pulling it back to Gyan on the edge of the box, but the captain's finish has to be hurried as Kanon closes in, and the finish comfortably clears the crossbar.

Ivory Coast are back on the attack as Die picks out Auerier, but his cross is straight into the path of Mensah, preventing Bony from having a shot. Both sides have been attacking at the start of this second half, but neither have really threatened in the box. It could be just one moment of magic to win this final.

BOOKING! Siaka Tiene is the second player to be shown the yellow card as he pulls back Atsu on the edge of the box.

John Boye is rather lucky to still be on the pitch as he tangles with Eric Bailly as they await Yaya Toure's free kick. The Ghana man headbutts Bailly twice, but the Ivory Coast defender overplays his fall, and the referee separates them, but doesn't issue a card.

Ivory Coast burst down the other end, with Bony squaring it for Gervinho, but he can't quite get his shot away. Bony has the chance to get it back in, but Boye makes the block too turn it behind for the corner.

Yaya Toure delivers the corner, and it's Bony who is closest to it, but Razak comes off his line to claim it with ease for Ghana.

Afful sends in a dangerous looking cross for Ghana, and Bailly is out of position, leaving a gap. However, Gradel sprints back to hook it behind for a corner, but Bony makes the clearance from Wakaso's delivery. There's still yet to be a really good chance since the second half got underway.

SUB! Ivory Coast make the first change of the match, and it's Max Gradel who makes way, with Seydou Doumbia taking his place up front.

Ayew works hard to get the ball to the edge of the Ivory Coast box, but he's crowded out as he turns looking for Atsu, while Wakaso fires well high from range moments later as he tries to keep thee move alive.

CHANCE! Ghana have a free kick just inside their own half, but Wakaso launches it long to Ayew, who beats Kolo Toure in the air to nod it on for John Boye, but the defender's diving header is just wide. That was a stunning ball forward from Wakaso, who has been a bit hit and miss from the set pieces so far this evening.

Atsu has a frightening amount of pace as he sprints down the right before pulling it back to Gyan in the centre of the box, but the captain has to stretch to beat Bailly to the ball, and he can't get his finish away cleanly.

Ivory Coast quickly force a corner down the other end, but Boye is ready for Yaya Toure's delivery, while Die fails to play it back in. It's starting to look more open in the last few minutes, with Ghana possibly looking to more dangerous, particularly when they get Atsu involved.

Appiah tracks back to try and stop Yaya Toure making a run at the Ghana box, but the defender trip the Africa Footballer of the Year, conceding a free kick in a dangerous position.

CHANCE! Yaya Toure appears to be lining it up, but Ivory Coast catch Ghana out as Tiene curls it in, but Razak just manages to palm it away.

A backheel from Bony picks out Aurier out wide, but his cross it too far behind Yaya Toure for the Manchester City man to get the shot away, while Gervinho can't arrive in time to meet it out the other side.

Ivory Coast have been doing the majority of the running in the last few minutes as they try to find what would likely be a winning goal at this point. However, Aurier hasn't quite had his eye in while crossing in the second half, leaving Razak relatively untested in the Ghana goal.

BOOKING! Wilfried Kanon clashes with Gyan on the edge of the box, resulting in a booking for the defender, which also gives Ghana a free kick in a dangerous position.

CHANCE! Mubarak Wakaso curls the ball past the wall, although it looks like it takes a deflection on the way through before drifting wide.

CHANCE! Ivory Coast almost steal it at the death as Aurier forces a save from Razak, and the ball falls straight to Doumbia, but his scuffed shot is cleared. The keeper parries again moments later, but Boye is there to help him out.

There are three minutes of stoppage time for both sides to try to find a win.

Ghana have a free kick, which Ivory Coast fail to clear, allowing Atsu to cross it in for Gyan, but the delivery is a fraction high for the captain, so it's out the other side.

So, after 90 minutes thee sides are still level, so extra time beckons. The same was true last time these sides met in the AFCON final, which Ivory Coast went on to win on penalties.

Both sides have shown plenty of willing to get forward, but the shooting has really been below par so far. Neither keepers have really had much to do. Both teams can still make changes though, with Ivory Coast making just one change, and Ghana still having all three subs available.

RESTART! Ivory Coast get the additional 30 minutes underway.

CHANCE! Atsu runs is behind Bailly before controlling the ball on his chest and attempting the volley on the turn, but he's always falling, and his shot goes wide.

According to stats experts Opta, it looks like this is going to penalties:

7 - The last seven occasions the #AFCON final has gone to extra time the game has ended in a penalty shootout. Pointer. — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 8, 2015

Baba comes out from the back to try to get a cross in for Ghana, but Aurier defends hard to stop the delivery, but he does concede a corner, but once again Bony does his defensive duties at the near post.

Atsu picks out Gyan with a superbly-timed ball forward, but the striker is a fraction offside.

CHANCE! Acquah tries to force something from 30 yards out but his shot was always rising, and ends up high in the stand behind the goal.

SUB! Ghana finally make their first change of the evening, replacing Kwesi Appiah with Jordan Ayew.

Atsu continues to look Ghana's best chance of creating something as he curls the ball into the middle. Gyan and Andre Ayew are both waiting for it, and it's the captain that reaches it first, but his header is just high.

Razak comes under pressure as Afful plays a backpass back a little slowly, allowing Doumbia to sprint in. The keeper can only get the ball to Yaya Toure, who immediately tries to get it back in for Bony, but it goes out for a corner.

BOOKING! The yellow cards are stacking up for Ivory Coast now as Eric Bailly becomes the fourth player to be booked.

We're still no nearer to knowing who will win this year's Africa Cup of Nations as both sides continue to struggle to create chances.

RESTART! Ghana get the action back underway. Both sides have just 15 minutes to avoid penalties.

CHANCE! Ghana break straight from the restart as Wakaso gets the ball on the edge of the box. His shot is blocked, but Gyan is there to unleash another effort, but he too is unable to find the gap.

Andre Ayew chips the ball forward for his younger brother, who manages to round Boye, but Kolo Toure is there to put it behind.

Ghana force another corner, and Bony can only clear as far as Atsu, who is waiting to pounce on the edge of the area, but his low drive is wide of the mark. Ghana have looked to more likely since the change of ends, but Barry remains pretty quiet in the Ivory Coast goal.

Bony meets Barry's goal kick in the centre of the pitch and flicks it on for Gervinho, but the striker's first touch lets him down.

SUB! It's a second change for Ivory coast as Salomon Kalou comes on in place of Serge Tiene.

SUB! Christian Atsu has certainly been one of the livelier players this evening, but he's been flagging in the last couple of minutes, so Grant sends Frank Acheampong on in his place.

Acheampong and Jordan Ayew team up down the right flank, but Gyan holds on to Kolo Toure's shorts while waiting for the cross. It looks like both sides are resigned to the shootout.

Gervinho plays a superb through-ball for Bony, but the Manchester City striker's first touch is poor, allowing Razak to grab it. That will surely be the last chance.

SUB! Surprisingly, Asamoah Gyan is going off, with Emmanuel Badu taking his place.

SUB! Gervinho won't be taking a penalty, he makes way for Junior Tallo.

So, penalties! Both sets of players look exhausted as the referee blows the final whistle, but they'll have to find some energy from somewhere as the shootout will be underway in just a few minutes.

Ghana are using the quick break to change their shirts, while Ivory Coast keeper Boubacar Barry is getting a quick rub down from the physio to get him ready.

If their previous penalty shooutout in the 1992 final, Ivory Coast took it after a mammoth 11-10 shootout.

Ivory Coast 0-1 Ghana Wakaso Mubarak gets Ghana off to a solid start.

Ivory Coast 0-1 Ghana Wilfried Bony hits the crossbar!

Ivory Coast 0-2 Ghana A cheeky low spot kick to the left from Jordan Ayew increases Ghana's advantage.

Ivory Coast 0-2 Ghana Junior Tallo came on with jut second remaining specifically to take the spot kick, but he fires his penalty wide!

Ivory Coast 0-2 Ghana Boubacar Barry makes the save to stop Afriyie Acquah's penalty, which lacked power.

Ivory Coast 1-2 Ghana Serge Aurier fires into the roof of the net to keep Ivory Coast in contention.

Ivory Coast 1-2 Ghana Frank Acheampong stutters and his run up and blasts it well wide.

Ivory Coast 2-2 Ghana Seydou Doumbia makes it all square.

Boubacar Barry appears to have overcelebrated Doumbia's penalty as he's gone down with what looks like a touch of cramp!

Ivory Coast 2-3 Ghana With Barry back on his feet, Andre Ayew manages to fire past the veteran keeper to edge Ghana back in front.

Ivory Coast 3-3 Ghana Yaya Toure must score to keep Ivory Coast in contention, and he pauses on his run up, but he powers it past Razak.

Ivory Coast 3-4 Ghana Jonathan Mensah takes a solid penalty to keep the pressure on Ivory Coast.

Ivory Coast 4-4 Ghana Salomon Kalou makes no mistake with a low strike into the bottom right corner.

Ivory Coast 4-5 Ghana Badu is almost denied by Barry, but his penalty just squeezes inside the post with the keeper at full stretch.

Ivory Coast 5-5 Ghana Kolo Toure makes amends for his 2012 miss to keep Ivory Coast in it.

Ivory Coast 5-6 Ghana Harrison Afful places it superbly into the roof of the net.

Ivory Coast 6-6 Ghana Wilfried Kanon clinically fires past Razak, so it goes on.

Ivory Coast 6-7 Ghana Baba slips it in low to the bottom right.

Ivory Coast 7-7 Ghana Eric Bailly makes it seven penalties made in a row for Ivory Coast.

Ivory Coast 7-8 Ghana Barry gets his fingertips to it, but John Boye puts enough power on it to find the back of the net.

Ivory Coast 8-8 Ghana Serey Die chips it in. The keepers are up next!

Ivory Coast 8-8 Ghana Razak hasn't made any saves, and now he's seen his own kept out by Barry! The Ivory Coast keeper can win it next!

Ivory Coast 9-8 Ghana Boubacar Barry has done it!!!

Having made a couple of saves to keep Ivory Coast in the shootout, keeper Boubacar Barry scores the penalty that gives Ivory Coast their second title.

The Ghana players look understandably heartbroken, particularly Razak, who didn't make any saves in the shootout. Ivory Coast coach Herve Renard celebrates though, as he becomes the first coach to win two titles with different teams just three years after guiding Zambia to the title.

Avram Grant is having to console some of his players. Jordan Ayew in particular looks gutted as he slumps onto the coach's shoulder. He was unable to follow in his father's footsteps, as his and Andre's dad was part of the squad that won Ghana's last title. It's nice to see Renard is also consoling the Ghana players.

Well, as Ivory Coast prepare to be presented with the trophy, that brings an end to our live match coverage. Thank for joining us this evening and throughout the tournament. Goodbye.