The hosts had the last nine lives left in a much awaited AFCON 2023 final between two well-known African football powerhouse who had both fallen on hard times recently.
18 months after being diagnosed with testicular cancer, Sebastien Haller played a hero's role, pulling off a stunning comeback to score the game's 81st-minute winner for Ivory Coast, who defeated Nigeria 2-1 in Abidjan to win the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.Despite playing second-best for the opening thirty minutes, the Super Eagles lead at the interval thanks to captain William Troost-Ekong, but the hosts would not be denied for long.
After an hour, Franck Kessie levelled the score with a header off a corner, and with less than ten minutes left, Haller's flick gave the Elephants the lead.
It was appropriate that the game was won in the last minutes of play because both teams advanced thus far on the strength of late drama.
Even though Nigeria had only given up two goals in the competition thus far, they were unable to hold the Elephants at bay for the entire ninety minutes of play due to constant pressure.
Ivory Coast's victory is an amazing accomplishment considering that they were the last team to qualify and barely made it to the knockout stage, losing their coach in the process.
It was appropriate that the game was won in the last minutes of play because both teams advanced thus far on the strength of late drama.
Even though Nigeria had only given up two goals in the competition thus far, they were unable to hold the Elephants at bay for the entire ninety minutes of play due to constant pressure.
Ivory Coast's victory is an amazing accomplishment considering that they were the last team to qualify and barely made it to the knockout stage, losing their coach in the process.
After taking over as interim manager, Emerse Fae led the team on an incredible run that ultimately resulted in the trophy.
