Ivory Coast completed a sensational comeback to claim the AFCON trophy on home soil.
Ivory Coast defeated Nigeria 2-1 in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final on Sunday. Sebastian Haller scored a late winner as the Elephants lifted the trophy for the third time in their history.
What happened?
Ivory Coast’s fantastic start to the game led to several serious chances, but it was Nigeria who scored the opener through William Troost-Ekong’s header in the 38th minute.
The hosts failed to find the equalizer before the break. However, similar to almost all of their matches in this tournament, they were up for a dramatic comeback in the second half.
Frank Kessie scored Ivory Coast’s well-deserved equalizer with a brilliant header in the 62nd minute. The Elephants then increased the pressure on Nigeria’s backline as the visitors retreated to their own half for the last 20 minutes of the game.
Ivory Coast’s efforts finally paid off when Sebastian Haller converted Simon Adingra’s cross with a brilliant finish and sent the Olympic Stadium into raptures in the 81st minute.
Nigeria pushed hard to get back into the game in the final minutes, but the Ivorians won the trophy with a few more minutes of brilliant defending.
Player Ratings
Nigeria: Nwabali (7), Ajayi (6), Troost-Ekong (7), Bassey (7), Zaidu (6), Onyeka (6), Iwobi (6), Aina (6), Chukwueze (5), Lookman (7), Osimhen (6).
Bench: Simon (6), Yusuf (6), Iheanacho (5), Aribo (6), Moffi (5).
Ivory Coast: Y. Fofana (6), Aurier (6), Kossounou (7), Ndicka (6), Konan (7), Michael Seri (7), Kessie (8), S. Fofana (6), Gradel (6), Adingra (8), Haller (7).
Bench: Singo (7), Diakite (6), Sangare (7), Krasso (6), Amani (-).
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