AFCON: How Ivory Coast Beat Nigeria to Win AFCON on Home Soil
It was a night of joy and celebration for the host nation Ivory Coast, as they came from behind to beat Nigeria 2-1 in the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday. The Elephants lifted their third AFCON trophy and their first since 2015, thanks to a late goal from Sebastien Haller, who completed a remarkable comeback after a cancer diagnosis in 2022.
The Super Eagles, who had beaten Ivory Coast 1-0 in the group stage, took the lead in the 36th minute through William Troost-Ekong, who headed in a corner from Kelechi Iheanacho. Nigeria looked comfortable and confident, as they controlled the game and denied Ivory Coast any clear chances.
However, the second half saw a different story, as Ivory Coast came out with more intensity and determination. They equalized in the 62nd minute, when Franck Kessie fired a low shot from outside the box that beat the diving Francis Uzoho. The goal sparked a wave of noise and excitement from the home crowd, who sensed a historic moment.
The momentum was with Ivory Coast, who pressed for the winner and created several opportunities. Nigeria tried to hold on and hit on the counter, but they could not cope with the pressure. In the 81st minute, the decisive moment arrived, when Haller poked in a loose ball from close range, after Uzoho had parried a shot from Nicolas Pepe. The striker, who plays for Ajax in the Netherlands, celebrated with tears in his eyes, as he dedicated his goal to his late father, who passed away from cancer in 2021.
The final whistle sparked scenes of jubilation and relief for Ivory Coast, who had overcome a difficult start to the tournament. They had lost two of their three group games, including a 4-0 thrashing by Equatorial Guinea, and sacked their head coach Jean-Louis Gasset. Assistant Emerse Fae took over as interim manager and led them to a remarkable run of victories, beating Senegal, Morocco, and Algeria in the knockout stages. Nigeria, on the other hand, were left heartbroken and disappointed, as they missed out on their fourth AFCON title and their first since 2013. The Super Eagles had been one of the most consistent teams in the tournament, but they could not replicate their performance in the final. They will have to regroup and focus on the upcoming World Cup qualifiers, where they face a tough group with Egypt, Libya, and Angola. Ivory Coast, meanwhile, will enjoy their moment of glory, as they celebrate their achievement with their fans and their country. They have proven that they are the best team in Africa, and they will look forward to defending their crown in 2025 when the next AFCON will be held in Algeria.
Who was the man of the match
Top Reactions
What was the reaction of Nigeria to their loss?
The reaction of Nigeria to their loss in the AFCON final against Ivory Coast was mixed. Some Nigerians expressed pride and appreciation for the Super Eagles, who had a great run in the tournament and came close to winning their fourth title. They also congratulated the Ivory Coast for their deserved victory and praised their resilience and spirit. However, some Nigerians were disappointed and frustrated by the result, as they felt that their team had let them down and wasted a golden opportunity. They criticized the coach, the players, and the tactics, and demanded changes and improvements. Some Nigerians also faced mockery and trolling from other Africans, especially South Africans, who celebrated Ivory Coast’s win as revenge for their loss to Nigeria in the semi-finals.
What were the reactions of Ivory Coast fans?
The reactions of Ivory Coast fans after their team won the AFCON 2023 final against Nigeria were ecstatic and jubilant. According to the news search results, fans of the West African powerhouse flooded the streets, expressing uncontainable joy. The jubilation, marked by car horns, lively vuvuzela sounds, and the cheers of grateful supporters, portrayed a nation relieved and thankful for the unexpected turn of events that saved them from what seemed like a heartbreaking exit. Some fans also took to social media to celebrate the victory with Ivory Coast, while others threw jabs at the Super Eagles. The atmosphere at the start and the end of the final was extraordinary, as almost the entire stadium was clad in orange, desperately willing on the hosts.
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