Ivory Coast subdue Super Eagles to become kings of Afcon. Ivory Coast secured a third Africa Cup of Nations title with a 2-1 victory over Nigeria in the final on home soil. William Troost-Ekong gave Nigeria the lead seven minutes before the break after rising the 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. Sebastien Haller was the hero for Ivory Coast as he scored the 81st-minute winner to secure the Elephants’ third-ever continental crown and their first since 2015. Ivory Coast spent more than $1bn on hosting the tournament, investing a similar amount on improving infrastructure in the country, and Ivorian President Alassane Outtara joined in the post-match celebrations in the stadium bearing his name.

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Nigeria

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. This is the Ivorian public’s serenaded their heroes with an impromptu a cappella rendition of “L’Abidjanaise,” the country’s national anthem, to give Les Éléphants a boost from the terraces after Troost-Ekong’s header had given Nigeria the lead.

Ivory Coast

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 Ivorians came out with renewed purpose after the break, with the lively Adingra at the heart of their best moments on the left flank. Ivory Coast progressed through the knockout stages, which included dramatic victories over defending champions Senegal and Mali after late equalisers in both games.

Interim coach Emerse Fae masterminded Ivory Coast’s passage to the final, which included the departure of coach Jean-Louis Gasset after two defeats in the group stage. The tournament will live long in the memory after a record number of goals, unrelenting upsets and an apparent capacity for unceasing drama. This is the Ivorian team’s first title triumph since 2015 when they beat Ghana in a penalty shoot-out.

-Afrogazette-