As Nigeria was defeated 2-1 in Abidjan, hosts Ivory Coast pulled off one of the most remarkable comebacks in the history of the Africa Cup of Nations to win the title of African champions for a third time.
At the Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Nigeria’s captain and former Watford centre defender William Troost-Ekong put the Super Eagles ahead against the flow of play (38).
Reaching the far post, Franck Kessie met Simon Adingra’s corner to rightfully level the score (61).
After losing their last group match 4-0 to Equatorial Guinea, Ivory Coast were destined to go out early, but they managed to make it to the knockout stage and defeat Senegal, Mali, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
However, Sebastien Haller, wearing an Ivory Coast shirt, made a crucial contribution by brilliantly flicking home the winner (81). This came after another Adingra cross.
The former West Ham striker, who overcame testicular cancer in 2022 and will now go down in history among all Ivorians following their third AFCON victory, found great meaning in the event.
The host nation would hold out for the remainder of the game to speak scenes of jubilation around the stadium.
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