HOSTS Cote d’Ivoire defeated the Super Eagles of Nigeria 2-1 tonight in Abijdan to win the AFCON 2023 Africa Cup of Nations title.
The Elephants came from behind to score two second half goals and clinch their third AFCON title.
William Troost-Ekong gave the Super Eagles the lead in the 37th minute, heading home from a corner by Ademola Lookman.
Although the Ivorians had the better of the play in the first half with more possession and shots, the Super Eagles went into the break with their lead intact.
The Elephants continued the dominance in the second half and almost levelled scores four minutes in but for a superb block by Calvin Bassey.
The pressure did not ease off and the hosts got the equaliser their dominance deserved.
Frank Kessie, who already had a header saved by Stanley Nwabali, found the breakthrough in the 62nd minute, nodding the ball past the Super Eagles goalkeeper from a corner kick.
Cote d’Ivoire almost made it 2-1 twelve minutes after their equaliser as Sebastian Haller’s spectacular overhead kick from inside the Nigeria box went narrowly wide.
Sensing that his side were struggling, Super Eagles head coach Jose Peseiro rang the changes in the 79th minute, with Alex Iwobi and Ademola Lookman making way for Alhassan Yusuf and Kelechi Iheanacho.
Moments after those changes, it was Cote d’Ivoire that scored the killer goal, Haller getting ahead of Troost-Ekong to touch home after Man of the Match Simon Adingra beat Ola Aina to deliver a fine cross.
Cote d’Ivoire comfortably kept the blunt Super Eagles attack at bay for the rest of the match to complete a fairytale run to their third AFCON trophy.
