Franck Kessie and Sébastien Haller scored twice in the second half to cancel out William Troost-Ekong’s first-half strike as hosts Ivory Coast defeated Nigeria 2-1 on Sunday to win the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations on home soil, Platinum Times reports.
After a horrific group stage in which the Elephants were almost eliminated and just qualified by taking the last best losers berth, with coach Jean-Louis Gasset fired, it was all worthwhile for a night that Ivorians would remember for a long time.
The result means the Elephants have won the AFCON for the third time, having previously won it in 1992 and 2015.
The Eagles were trying to win the trophy for the fourth time, having previously won it in 1980, 1994, and 2013.
Sunday’s encounter marked the 29th meeting between the two teams, with Nigeria winning nine and losing ten.
Coach Jose Peseiro made two changes to the team that defeated South Africa in the semi-finals: Porto left-back Zaidu Sanusi returned to the starting lineup, and AC Milan winger Samuel Chukwueze replaced Moses Simon.
Just six minutes into the game, Simon Adingra’s precise cross across goal escaped attacker Sébastien Haller’s outstretched legs, giving the hosts their first chance.
The Elephants continued to dominate possession, forcing Peseiro’s team to make mistakes and concede cheap free kicks.
Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali was tested in the 14th minute when Seko Fofana fired a powerful strike, but the 27-year-old was up to the challenge.
Just 18 minutes into the final at Stade Alassane Ouattara, Victor Osimhen confronted Evan Ndicka after the defender appeared to elbow the Napoli striker.
A few seconds later, the game was halted again as Mauritania referee Beida Dahane failed to award a free kick to Nigeria following a foul on Ademola Lookman, with Peseiro receiving a yellow card for protesting the officiating.
After that, there was a tense moment in the 20th minute when Zaidu almost lost possession in a dangerous position, but Nwabali rushed out of his post to save the ball, resulting in a corner kick for the men in orange.
Adingra nearly scored a fantastic volley from the subsequent corner, but his attempt struck the side net.
Ivory Coast almost opened the scoring in the 34th minute when Franck Kessie’s superb ball found Adingra, whose shot was easily saved by Nwabali.
After weathering the hosts’ early onslaught, the Eagles launched their first effort of the game, with Alex Iwobi finding Zaidu, but the defender’s shot was stopped by Odilon Kossounou inside the box, resulting in Nigeria’s first corner kick.
Ademola Lookman took the subsequent set piece, and William Troost-Ekong rose highest to head home in the 38th minute, his third of the tournament.
Following Troost-Ekong’s score, the Eagles gained confidence and took control of the game, with the Ivorians pursuing the ball.
There was an off-the-ball altercation between Zaidu and Serge Aurier, with the Ivorian captain impeding the Nigerian as he made a run for an Iwobi pass, but the referee ignored it despite the Eagles’ pleas.
The Ivorians made their intentions clear from the start of the second half, hitting the Eagles with everything in their arsenal.
As tensions rose, Nwabali and Aurier engaged in a verbal spat, prompting the referee to reprimand both players.
Peseiro made a rapid substitute, bringing in Simon to replace Chukwueze just 11 minutes into the second half.
Ivory Coast continued to put pressure on the Eagles, who sat too deep, allowing the hosts to command play.
The pressure paid off in the 62nd minute, when Kossounou’s attempt was parried for a corner. Kessie then nodded in Adingra’s cross from the flag.
Adingra, who was voted Man of the Match, continued to harass the Eagles’ defence, and in the 81st minute, the youngster sent another exquisite cross that Haller expertly turned into the Eagles’ net to put Ivory Coast ahead.
Despite falling behind, the Eagles did not appear to be looking for an equalizer, and the men in orange kept asking questions.
The Elephants maintained their slim advantage as the referee called the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations to a conclusion at the Stade Alassane Ouattara.
Troost-Ekong was selected the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, but Nigerians were disappointed by the Eagles’ lackluster performance when it counted the most.
“Ivory Coast completely deserves this victory. Unfortunately, the Super Eagles reserved their worst performance for the final,” journalist Nurudeen Obalaola stated.
Another journalist, Wale Agbede, added, “Ivory Coast has been bad in this competition, but we somehow made them appear so fantastic. Allowing them to control the midfield and cross at will.
Others criticised the players for their lack of individual brilliance in the final.
“Lookman is completely off, Iwobi is as if he isn’t there, Zaidu catastrophe, and Aina is a shell of himself. “This parking the bus was always going to backfire,” a TV journalist, Benjamin Okenna, added.