The Host nation of the 2023 African Cup of Nations; Ivory Coast defeated the Super Eagles of Nigeria in a dramatic final match in Abidjan
Ivory Coast came close to opening the scoring in the 34th minute when Simon Adingra received a precise pass in the box and shot early but the Nigerian Shot stopper Stanley Nwabali was up to the task to deny Ivorians of an opener.
Thereafter, Nigeria took the lead at the 38th minute of the game with a sublime header from the Nigerian Defender and Skipper William Troost-Ekong.
Ever energetic Elephants got back in the game with a close range header from Franck Kessie meeting Adingra’s corner.
Ivorians came surging late in the game and eventually got their winning goal as man of the match; Simon Adingra cut a dangerous ball across goal which was put in the back of the net by Sebastien Haller leaving the Nigerian defence stunned.
The Super Eagles did all they could in the last minutes of the game but the Elephants were strong enough to pull through.
After a disastrous group stage that almost saw Ivory Coast eliminated, the Hosts claimed their third African Cup of Nations title and their first on home soil marking a night that will live long the memories of every Ivorian.
