Ivory Coast left it late once again as Sebastien Haller scored with nine minutes left to hand Ivory Coast the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations title following their 2-1 final win over Nigeria in Abidjan on Sunday night.
The Elephants have had to come from behind for much of the knockout phase but started Sunday’s final brightly by putting the Super Eagles under some early pressure.
It began with Haller failing to connect with Simon Adingra’s cross in the eighth minute before Max Gradel hit the side netting in the 21st minute.
Adingra was very close to getting the opener in the 34th minute but Nigeria’s number one Stanley Nwabali made a fantastic save to deny the Brighton & Hove Albion man.
Nigeria’s first moment in the game came in the 38th minute when Zaidu Sanusi’s attempted shot was blocked by Odilon Kossounou. The resultant corner kick was headed in by Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong for his third goal in the tournament and second against the Ivorians in the tournament having scored a penalty when both sides met in the group stage.
Seko Fofana tried his luck with a long range strike on the halftime whistle but Nwabali was there to easily gather.
Gradel and Franck Kessie had opportunities to level for Ivory Coast in the 49th and 59th minute respectively but they were dealt with by Nigeria. Kessie was however not going to be denied in the 62nd minute when he headed in the ball unmarked from a corner kick.
Haller tried to get the winner in the 74th minute but his acrobatic effort was off target. The Borussia Dortmund man, who made a remarkable recovery from testicular cancer last year, was however not going to be denied in the 81st minute as he connected with Adingra’s cross and planted the ball into the top right corner of the net.
SEBASTIEN HALLER'S goal brings it home for the Ivorians,???????? as they prevail against Nigeria???????? to win the AFCON2023.
The Elephants are champions of Africa!!????#Afrosport #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 #NGRCIV pic.twitter.com/JGrKUClpmF
— AfroSport (@AfroSportTV) February 11, 2024
Ivory Coast’s victory sees them level with Nigeria on three AFCON titles while it was the Super Eagles’ fifth loss in their eighth AFCON final appearance.
In all, AFCON 2023 was worth the entire hype and more. Thank you for the consistent reports