The highly anticipated 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2023) final between Nigeria and Ivory Coast has ended after a defeat of the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
The two established African football powers.
Sebastien Haller, who played the hero comeback to score the 81st minute winner for Ivory Coast, who emerged with AFCON title with a 2-1 win over Nigeria in Abidjan.
The Super Eagles led at halftime through captain William Troost-Ekong.
However, the hosts through a header by Franck Kessie that levelled the score, and Haller’s flick giving the Elephants the lead with under 10 minutes remaining.
The win for Ivory Coast is an incredible achievement, having only squeaked through to the knockout stage as the final team to qualify, firing their coach in the process.
Interim boss Emerse Fae took over and led the side on an improbable run, securing the trophy in the end.
Nigeria, Africa’s largest nation, have only won AFCON on three occasions and the last was in 2013. Ivory Coast have now lifted the trophy thrice too, in 1992, 2015 and 2024.