Ivory Coast 2-1 Nigeria (11 Feb, 2024) Game Analysis

Ivory Coast won the Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday after a 2-1 victory over Nigeria at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

Sébastien Haller scored the winner for the hosts in the 81st minute with an instinctive finish after excellent work from Simon Adingra on the wing.

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William Troost-Ekong gave Nigeria the lead in the first half with a header from a dangerous corner. A scramble at the near post between several players saw the original delivery loop in the air, and the Nigerian captain leapt to head the ball into the net.

Franck Kessié equalized from an Adingra corner in the 62nd minute, before a late intervention from Haller decided the fate of the tournament.

“It was the strength of the group and the state of mind that got us through difficult times, but we saved ourselves, even if it wasn't easy. The mental strength allowed us to find our chances and to do what we accomplished today,” said the Ivorian. of the match, Adingra said after the match.

Borussia Dortmund striker Haller was diagnosed with testicular cancer in July 2022, but he beat the disease and was a crucial player for the Ivorians, although he missed the start of the tournament due to a ankle injury. defeat Senegal, reigning champion.

This is Ivory Coast's third AFCON triumph, tying them with Nigeria to become the fourth most successful team in the tournament's history, and the first since 2015. Only Ghana (4), Cameroon (5) and Egypt (7) have more. This is the fifth time that Nigeria has failed at the final stage of the competition.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino was present at the final, as was Ivorian legend Didier Drogba.

A result all the more remarkable as Ivory Coast's victorious coach, Emerse Faé, only took office after the group stage. French veteran Jean-Louis Gasset was the coach at the start of the competition, but saw his team lose two of three matches in this preliminary round to fall to the brink of elimination. They would eventually qualify as one of the best third-placed teams.

Ivory Coast had the better of the first half, perhaps unsurprisingly given the sea of ​​orange in the stands and the midfield duo of Seko Fofana and Jean Michaël Seri controlling the tempo.

However, Nigeria took the lead against the run of play in the 38th minute thanks to Troost-Ekong's header, the Super Eagles' first shot on goal of the match.

Ivory Coast almost hit back early in the second half, when a bouncing ball fell to Max Gradel's feet from close range – only to see his effort blocked by Calvin Bassey's left leg and roll harmlessly between the Stanley's hands. Nwabali.

Eventually the pressure was on, with Ivory Coast scoring from a corner to end proceedings and send the entire stadium – including Drogba – into enthusiastic celebrations. Kessié takes advantage of suspicious marking to head a corner towards goal, which slips into the hands of Nwabali in the goal.

The home side continued to push for the winner and came close when Haller attempted a spectacular overhead kick, but the ball went wide of the goal.

The most important goal came after Adingra beat Ola Aina and delivered a quick cross. Haller welcomed the ball from the left with a deft touch that headed into the bottom right corner of the net.

Nigeria threw caution to the wind for the rest of the match, with Portuguese coach José Peseiro sending several attacking substitutes to support Victor Osimhen, who worked alone up front for much of the hot evening.

But the hosts' defense held firm to secure a famous victory that will no doubt have Abidjan and beyond partying well into the night.

“Our team had a fantastic tournament, but today Ivory Coast was better,” said Nigeria coach José Peseiro. “Our team didn't show its level. That's the truth. It wasn't the same work as in the previous rounds.”

Information from Reuters contributed to this report.