Côte d’Ivoire secures AFCON title with dramatic comeback victory over Nigeria

In a dramatic twist of fate at Abidjan’s Alassane Ouattara Stadium, hosts Côte d’Ivoire won their third Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) courtesy of a 2-1 victory against Nigeria.

From the outset, the hosts displayed determination and vigour, with Haller nearly finding the net early on from a dangerous cross by Simon Adingra. The Ivorian onslaught continued, as they kept on pressing to keep the Nigerian defence on their toes.

However, against the run of play, Nigeria seized the lead just before halftime through captain William Troost-Ekong’s powerful header from a corner, which was the defender’s third goal in the competition.

Undeterred, Côte d’Ivoire came back stronger in the second half, and got the much-expected equalizer in the 62nd minute through Franck Kessié who restored parity with a clinical header made possible from Adingra’s cross.

The Elephants capitalized on the. momentum to grab their second goal when Haller latches onto Adingra’s precise cross to seal victory with a decisive strike.

Despite Nigeria’s late surge and Jose Peseiro’s supposed tactical substitutions, Côte d’Ivoire held firm to clinch the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations trophy on home soil, becoming the first country to do so since Egypt in 2006.