The Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire emerged victorious in the 2023 CAF African Cup of Nations (AFCON), defeating the Super Eagles of Nigeria with a scoreline of 2-1, News About Nigeria reports.
The intense football match saw Franck Kessie and Sebastien Haller’s goals secure the title for Ivory Coast, overturning Troost-Ekong’s opener for Nigeria.
The road to the final was marked by impressive performances from both teams.
Nigeria secured their spot by defeating South Africa in the semi-finals, setting the stage for a face-off against the host nation, Cote d’Ivoire.
Despite Nigeria’s formidable run in the tournament, Cote d’Ivoire managed to clinch the victory in front of their home crowd.
The match ended with Ivory Coast claiming their third CAF African Cup of Nations title, adding to their previous triumphs in 1992 and 2015.
This victory also elevated them to the ranks of Nigeria with three Cup of Nations triumphs overall.
The win marked a historic moment as Cote d’Ivoire became the first host country to secure the AFCON title since 2006.
Nigerians, who had high hopes for the Super Eagles, expressed their disappointment on social media following the defeat.
The Ivorian success was celebrated by fans, and the team’s accomplishment was hailed as a testament to their determination and sense of destiny.
Meanwhile, Super Eagles captain William Troost Ekong was honoured with the AFCON 2023 Man of the Competition award, acknowledging his outstanding contributions throughout the tournament.
Cote d’Ivoire’s Simon Adingra was honoured with the Best Young Player award, while the coach, Emerse Faé, was honoured with the Best Coach award.
