Sebastien Haller was the hero for Ivory Coast again as the Elephants came from behind to beat Nigeria and win the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final on home soil.
The striker,
who had also netted the semi-final winner just 13 months on from his return
from testicular cancer, flicked in Simon Adingra's cross with the toe of his
boot with nine minutes remaining to complete a second-half comeback and spark
wild celebrations in Abidjan.
William Troost-Ekong had put Nigeria
ahead seven minutes before the end of a cagey first half when the centre-back
rose highest to powerfully head in from nine yards out following a corner.
Franck Kessie nodded in the equaliser in the 62nd minute when he was
left unmarked at the back post from Adingra's corner.
After a
remarkable run to the final, which included the departure of coach Jean-Louis
Gasset after two defeats in the group stage, the Ivorians clinched a third
continental title with a deserved victory.
The West
Africans add to their previous Nations Cup wins in 1992 and 2015 and become the
first tournament hosts to triumph since Egypt lifted the trophy in 2006.
Interim coach Emerse Fae masterminded
Ivory Coast's passage through the knockout stages, which included dramatic
victories over defending champions Senegal and Mali after late equalizers in
both games.
Ivory Coast spent more than $1bn
(£0.79bn) on hosting the tournament, investing a similar amount in improving
infrastructure in the country, and Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara joined in
the post-match celebrations in the stadium bearing his name.
The Elephants
pick up $7m (£5.54m) in prize money, with Nigeria handed $4m by the
Confederation of African Football.
Nigeria, three-time continental champions
themselves, had previously been unbeaten at the finals, including a 1-0 win
over the Ivorians in the group stage, but the Super Eagles rarely imposed
themselves after sitting back for most of the contest.
Ivory Coast dominated most of the first half in front of a fervent crowd
at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium, but failed to carve out chances as Nigeria
sat deep and soaked up pressure.
The
game sparked into life after the drinks break on the half-hour mark, with
Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali blocking Adingra's shot from a narrow-angle
before Nigeria left-back Zaidu Sanusi won a corner when his effort was blocked
by Odilon Kossounou.
Ademola
Lookman's inswinging corner was headed up into the air by Ivory Coast
midfielder Jean Michael Seri at the near post, and Troost-Ekong leaped above
Serge Aurier to guide the ball back across goal and past the despairing dive of
Elephants keeper Yahia Fofana.
The
Ivorians came out with renewed purpose after the break, with the lively Adingra
at the heart of their best moments on the left flank.
A
dangerous low cross from the Brighton winger was tipped away by Nwabali and
Calvin Bassey made a crucial block to prevent an equaliser after Max Gradel
pounced on the loose ball.
Nwabali
then had to dive to his right to scramble a long-range shot from Kossounou
wide, and the Elephants equalized from the resulting corner as the Nigeria
defense somehow failed to pick up Kessie.
The
Super Eagles had a chance to retake the lead when Troost-Ekong headed a
free-kick from Ademola Lookman wide, but the decisive moment came from an
inspired finish by Haller when the Borussia Dortmund man stuck out his right
leg to flick Adingra's cross past Nwabali.
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