Cote d’Ivoire edges Nigeria to win Africa Cup of Nations

Cote d’Ivoire edges Nigeria to win Africa Cup of Nations

Sebastien Haller scored the winning goal nine minutes from the end as host nation Cote d’Ivoire claimed a third Africa Cup of Nations title with a 2-1 victory over Nigeria in the final at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan on Sunday.

It was a triumph born from adversity as the Ivorians scraped out of their group following two defeats, including a humiliating 4-0 loss to Equatorial Guinea, before finding their form in the knockout rounds with a never-say-die attitude.

William Troost-Ekong’s header gave Nigeria a first-half lead as he rose to meet Samuel Chukwueze’s flick-on from a corner, but Franck Kessie equalized just past the hour after being left unmarked at the back post from a set piece.

The Ivorians had to come from behind several times in the tournament and did it again when Haller steered Simon Adingra’s cross into the net, much to the delight of his rookie coach Emerse Fae, who started the tournament as assistant to Frenchman Jean-Louis Gasset, who was sacked after the pool stage.

“It’s the power of the group and the mindset that put us through, Adingra said. “We had some challenging moments but we rescued ourselves, although it wasn’t easy. The mental fortitude saw us restore our chances and do what we achieved today.”

Borussia Dortmund forward Haller was diagnosed with testicular cancer in July 2022 but beat the disease and has been a crucial player for Cote d’Ivoire, though he missed the start of the tournament with an ankle injury and played his first game in the last-16 win over defending champion Senegal.

His story epitomizes the fight in the Cote d’Ivoire side, which became the first home nation to lift the Cup of Nations since Egypt in 2006.

All four of its previous continental finals had finished 0-0, with the nation winning on penalties in 1992 and 2015, both times against Ghana, and losing the other two.

The home side controlled much of this year’s final as Adingra was denied by a fine save from Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, before the visitors took the lead with their first effort on target in the 38th minute.

Troost-Ekong headed into the net when Ademola Lookman’s corner was flicked on by Chukwueze and the Nigerian captain won the second ball ahead of Serge Aurier.

The hosts had an excellent chance to equalize early in the second half when the ball fell to Max Gradel in the box, but his fierce shot was blocked by Calvin Bassey.

Nwabali had to beat away a superb long-range shot from Adingra, but Cote d’Ivoire equalized from the resulting corner when Kessie was left unmarked at the back post and headed into the net.

It was the home side the pushed for the winner and came close when Haller attempted a spectacular overhead kick, but the ball sailed wide of the goal.

The tall striker did not have to wait long for his goal, though, as moments later he steered Adingra’s whipped cross into the net to crown a fantastic story.

“Our team had a fantastic tournament but today Ivory Coast was better,” Nigeria coach Jose Peseiro said. “Our team didn’t show our level. That’s the truth. It was not the same job as we did in the previous rounds.”