Haller gives Ivory Coast victory in Afcon final

Sebastien Haller was the hero for Ivory Coast once more because the Elephants got here from behind to beat Nigeria and win the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations remaining on dwelling soil.

William Troost-Ekong had put Nigeria forward seven minutes earlier than the tip of a cagey first half when the centre-back rose highest to powerfully head in from 9 yards out following a nook.

Franck Kessie nodded within the equaliser within the 62nd minute when he was left unmarked on the again publish from Adingra’s nook.

After a exceptional run to the ultimate, which included the departure of coach Jean-Louis Gasset after two defeats within the group stage, the Ivorians clinched a 3rd continental title with a deserved victory.

The West Africans add to their earlier Nations Cup wins in 1992 and 2015 and develop into the primary match hosts to triumph since Egypt lifted the trophy in 2006.

Interim coach Emerse Fae masterminded Ivory Coast’s passage by means of the knockout levels, which included dramatic victories over defending champions Senegal and Mali after late equalisers in each video games.

Ivory Coast spent more than $1bn (£0.79bn) on hosting the tournament, investing an analogous quantity on enhancing infrastructure within the nation, and Ivorian President Alassane Outtara joined within the post-match celebrations within the stadium bearing his identify.

The Elephants decide up $7m (£5.54m) in prize cash, with Nigeria handed $4m by the Confederation of African Soccer.

Nigeria, three-time continental champions themselves, had beforehand been unbeaten on the finals, together with a 1-0 win over the Ivorians within the group stage, however the Tremendous Eagles hardly ever imposed themselves after sitting again for a lot of the contest.

Adingra evokes Elephants turnaround

Ivory Coast dominated a lot of the first half in entrance of a fervent crowd on the Alassane Ouattara Stadium, however didn’t carve out possibilities as Nigeria sat deep and soaked up stress.

The sport sparked into life after the drinks break on the half-hour mark, with Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali blocking Adingra’s shot from a slim angle earlier than Nigeria left-back Zaidu Sanusi received a nook when his effort was blocked by Odilon Kossounou.

Ademola Lookman’s inswinging nook was headed up into the air by Ivory Coast midfielder Jean Michael Seri on the close to publish, and Troost-Ekong leapt above Serge Aurier to information the ball again throughout aim and previous the despairing dive of Elephants keeper Yahia Fofana.

The Ivorians got here out with renewed function after the break, with the full of life Adingra on the coronary heart of their finest moments on the left flank.

A harmful low cross from the Brighton winger was tipped away by Nwabali and Calvin Bassey made a vital block to stop an equaliser after Max Gradel pounced on the free ball.

Nwabali then needed to dive to his proper to scramble a long-range shot from Kossounou extensive, and the Elephants equalised from the ensuing nook because the Nigeria defence by some means failed to choose up Kessie.

The Tremendous Eagles had an opportunity to retake the lead when Troost-Ekong headed a free-kick from Ademola Lookman extensive, however the decisive second got here from an impressed end by Haller when the Borussia Dortmund man caught out his proper leg to flick Adingra’s cross previous Nwabali.

Fairy story ending for Fae

The match, which was delayed from its meant staging in June and July final yr due to climate considerations in West Africa, will stay lengthy within the reminiscence after a report variety of targets, unrelenting upsets and an obvious capability for unceasing drama.

A lot of that was supplied by the hosts, who had appeared getting ready to an early exit after a shock 4-0 defeat by Equatorial Guinea of their remaining Group A outing.

Gasset departed as coach and Fae managed to instil renewed perception after inheriting a aspect which got a second life as one in all 4 best-ranked third-placed sides.

Progress had been secured after Morocco – whose nationwide flag Ivory Coast co-captain Max Gradel waved earlier than lifting the trophy – beat Zambia within the remaining spherical of group video games to cease the southern Africans stealing their spot.

Elephants supporters had understandably been left reeling after what was a report defeat at dwelling however rallied behind a aspect which confirmed unimaginable psychological fortitude to eliminate Senegal and Mali in two epic ties, previous to a much more routine victory towards DR Congo within the semi-finals.

Fae, who was a part of the Ivory Coast aspect that completed runners-up to Egypt in 2006 – a marketing campaign wherein he performed each minute, has now received Africa’s greatest prize in simply his fourth recreation in senior administration.

The resilience of the 40-year-old’s aspect was underlined because the hosts held their nerve after falling behind towards the run of play in entrance of a sea of orange within the remaining.

Ivory Coast develop into the 12 host nation to win the Nations Cup title, whereas Nigeria shall be left to rue a fifth defeat within the showpiece recreation – and their second in Abidjan after shedding to Cameroon in 1984.