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

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

Franck Kessie headed within the equalizer within the 62nd minute, when he was left unmarked on the again submit from Adingra's nook.

After a beautiful 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 well-deserved victory.

The West Africans added to their earlier victories within the Cup of Nations in 1992 and 2015 and have become the primary hosts of the match to triumph since Egypt lifted the trophy in 2006.

Interim coach Emerse Fae has masterminded Ivory Coast's passage to the knockout phases, which included dramatic wins over defending champions Senegal and Mali after late equalizers in each video games.

Ivory Coast spent greater than $1 billion (£0.79 billion) on internet hosting the match, investing an identical quantity to enhance infrastructure within the nation, and Ivorian president Alassane Outtara joined the post-match celebrations on the stadium that bears his title.

The Elephants will take dwelling $7m (£5.54m) in prize cash, with Nigeria getting $4m from the Confederation of African Soccer.

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

Adingra conjures up Elephants turnaround

Sebastien Haller scores for Ivory Coast against Nigeria in the 2023 African Cup of Nations final
Sebastien Haller (left) additionally scored the winner for Ivory Coast of their semi-final win over DR Congo.

Ivory Coast dominated a lot of the primary half in entrance of a fervent crowd on the Alassane Ouattara Stadium, however did not capitalize on probabilities as Nigeria sat deep and shouldered the stress .

The sport burst into life after the half-hour drinks break, with Nigerian goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali blocking Adingra's shot from a good angle earlier than Nigeria defender Zaidu Sanusi received a nook when his effort was blocked by Odilon Kossounou.

Ademola Lookman's inswinging nook was headed within the air by Ivory Coast midfielder Jean Michael Seri on the close to submit, and Troost-Ekong jumped over Serge Aurier to move the ball into the again of the online and cross the determined dive of Elephants keeper Yahia Fofana.

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

A harmful low cross from the Brighton wing was headed in by Nwabali and Calvin Bassey made an important block to stop an equalizer after Max Gradel pounced on the free ball.

Nwabali then needed to dive to his proper to scramble an extended shot from Kossounou huge, and the Elephants equalized from the ensuing nook because the Nigerian protection one way or the other did not sort out Kessie.

The Tremendous Eagles had an opportunity to take the lead when Troost-Ekong headed an Ademola Lookman free-kick huge, however the decisive second got here from an impressed end by Haller because the Borussia Dortmund man put away the his proper leg to throw away Adingra's cross. Nwabali.

Fairy story ending for Fae

Ivory Coast players celebrate with the Africa Cup of Nations trophy after beating Nigeria
Emerse Fae (far proper, in white) coached Good's youth groups and was the reserve crew at French Ligue 1 membership Clermont earlier than changing into Ivory Coast's assistant coach in Could 2022.

The match, which was delayed from its staging in June and July final 12 months resulting from climate issues in West Africa, will stay lengthy within the reminiscence after a file variety of targets, relentless clashes and a capability seemingly incessant drama.

A lot of this was offered by the hosts, who appeared on the point of a primary exit after a shock 4-0 defeat by Equatorial Guinea of their Group A closing.

Gasset left as coach and Fae managed to instill renewed perception after inheriting a crew that was given a second lease of life as one of many 4 finest third-placed sides.

Progress was assured after Morocco – whose Ivory Coast nationwide flag co-captain Max Gradel waved earlier than lifting the trophy – beat Zambia within the closing spherical of group matches to stop the southern Africans from stealing their place.

Elephants supporters have been understandably left devastated after what was a file defeat at dwelling, however rallied behind a crew that confirmed unimaginable psychological power to eradicate Senegal and Mali in two epic ties, earlier than a way more routine win in opposition to DR Congo within the semi-finals.

Fae, who was a part of the Ivory Coast aspect that completed runners-up in Egypt in 2006 – a marketing campaign through which 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 crew was underlined because the hosts held their nerve after falling behind in opposition to the run of play in entrance of a sea of ​​orange within the closing.

Ivory Coast grew to become the twelfth host nation to win the Cup of Nations title, whereas Nigeria can be left to undergo a fifth defeat within the showpiece recreation – and their second in Abidjan after shedding to Cameroon in 1984.

Line ups

Nigeria

Formation 3-4-2-1

  • 23NwabaliBooked at 53 minutes
  • 6Ajayi
  • 5Troost-Ekong
  • 21Bassey
  • 2All the timeBooked at 90 minutes
  • 8Have a look at itSubstituted forMoffito 86'minutes
  • 17IwobiSubstituted forYusufto 79'minutes
  • 3SanusiSubstituted forI’mto 86'minutes
  • 11ChukwuezeSubstituted forSimonto 56'minutes
  • 18LookmanSubstituted forIheanachoto 79'minutes
  • 9Osimhen

Substitutes

  • 1you need
  • 4Yusuf
  • 7Musa
  • 10I’m
  • 12Osayi-Samuel
  • 14Iheanacho
  • 15Simon
  • 19Onuachu
  • 20Awazeem
  • 22Homer
  • 24Moffi
  • 25onyedika

Ivory Coast

Formation 4-3-3

  • 1Breathe
  • 17goldsmithBooked at 54 minutesSubstituted forSingleto 70'minutes
  • 7Kossounou
  • 21I’m sorryBooked at 90 minutes
  • 3Conan
  • 8Kessie
  • 4severeSubstituted forloveto 90+2'minutes
  • 6BreatheBooked at 87 minutesSubstituted forI’ll bleedto 88'minutes
  • 15GradleSubstituted forDiakiteto 70'minutes
  • 22HallerSubstituted forCrassto 88'minutes
  • 24Adingra

Substitutes

  • 2Diomand
  • 5Single
  • 9bamba
  • 11Crass
  • 13to get
  • 14Diakite
  • 18I’ll bleed
  • 19Pepper
  • 20Kouame
  • 23I’ll bleed
  • 26Dial it
  • 27love

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