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AFCON Final Recap: Triumph, Comebacks, Tears, Moments, Awards

Sports

By Ikio Biobelemoye

Feb 11, 2024

Côte d’Ivoire emerged triumphant in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Final against Nigeria, securing their third title, and notably, their first on home soil. They rallied from behind to defeat the Super Eagles 2-1 at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium on Sunday, January 11, 2024.

The Ivorians took the bull by the horn from the blast of the whistle as Sébastien Haller almost got on the end of Simon Adingra’s cross in an attempt to give the hosts an early lead. They continued to press forward through Max Gradel who tested the Nigerian keeper, Stanley Nwabali.

TERROR SQUAD: Borussia Dortmund’s striker, Sebastien Haller, and Brighton Hove Albion’s striker, Simon Adingra, remained threats to Nigeria Super Eagles’ defence with the former scoring the winner for the Elephants of Cote’d Ivoire in the Final of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) last night.

Despite Ivory Coast’s offensive prowess and Nigeria having to withstand the pressure, it was Nigeria who took the lead through Captain Troost Ekong’s header from a set piece.

The Comeback

Nigeria held onto the lead at halftime, but their advantage crumbled in the second half when Franck Kessie equalized with a powerful header from a set piece in the 62nd minute. Nineteen minutes later, the exceptional Simon Adringra showcased his skills, setting up Sebastien Haller, who scored the winning goal, sealing the victory for the hosts.

The Elephants No. 22, Sebastien Haller scores despite the closemarking by Super Eagles’s captain, William Troost-Ekong

The home crowd went wild by the resolute display from the Ivory Coast players.

The Stats

The Ivorians dominated possession with a 62-38 split and made 18 attempts on goal, while Nigeria managed only five. Eight of Ivory Coast’s attempts hit the target, contrasting with Troost Ekong’s goal, the only shot on target for Nigeria.

The Heartfelt Moment

Sebastian Haller’s journey from a testicular cancer diagnosis in 2022 to scoring the winning goal in the AFCON final was a poignant and triumphant story. He had also scored the solitary goal that propelled his team to the Final.

Sebastien Haller

The Tears

Nigerian players and supporters were left dejected. The Super Eagles, having conceded only two goals in their run to the final, seemed poised for another narrow win at the halfway stage, but it wasn’t meant to be.

The 2023 AFCON Award Winners

L-R South Africa’s Bafana Bafana goalkeeper; Ronwen Williams, Nigeria’s Super Eagles Captain; William Troost-Ekong, and Equatorial Guinea’s Nzalang Nacional striker, Emilio Nsue won the AFCON Cote dI’Voire 2023 Best Goalkeeper, Most Valuable Player and Golden Boot, respectively.

Here is the complete list of award winners for AFCON 2023:

  • Man of the Competition: William Troost-Ekong of Nigeria
  • Best Goalkeeper: Ronwen Williams of South Africa
  • Best Coach: Emerse Fae of Ivory Coast
  • Fair Play Team: South Africa
  • Golden Boot: Emilio Nsue of Equatorial Guinea (five goals)
  • Silver Boot: Gelson Dala of Angola (four goals)
  • Bronze Boot: Mostafa Mohamed of Egypt (four goals).
  • Bronze Boot: Mostafa Mohamed of Egypt (four goals)
  • Best Young Player/Player of the Final: Simon Adingra of Ivory Coast.

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