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On Sunday, Ivory Coast secured their third Africa Cup of Nations title by defeating Nigeria 2-1, with goals from Franck Kessié and Sebastian Haller, in a thrilling final match.
Nigeria took the lead in the first half with captain William Troost-Ekong’s powerful header from a corner. However, in the second half, Ivory Coast equalized as Franck Kessié headed in from a corner delivered by Simon Adingra in the 62nd minute.
As the game seemed headed for extra time, Sebastian Haller scored for Ivory Coast in the 81st minute, redirecting Adingra’s cross past Nigeria’s goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, giving the hosts the lead.
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Despite seven additional minutes, Nigeria couldn’t find a second goal, and the final whistle confirmed Ivory Coast’s victory, marking their second AFCON triumph in a decade, with their previous win in 2015. This victory is also significant, as it is the first time a host country has won the event since Egypt in 2006.
The Ivorian team, coached by Emerse Faé after the dismissal of Jean-Louis Gasset, had a remarkable journey in the tournament. They barely made it past the group stages but went on to secure victories over Senegal, Mali, and DR Congo in the knockout stages.
Nigeria, despite boasting the best defensive record in the tournament and a frontline led by CAF Player of the Year Victor Osimhen, was outplayed by Ivory Coast in the final. Apart from Troost-Ekong’s header, they struggled to trouble the Ivorian goalkeeper Fofana.
The defeat means Nigeria’s quest for a fourth AFCON title continues, with their last success coming in 2013.
