Ivory Coast Defeat Nigeria to Win 2023 Africa Cup Of Nations [VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS]

Ivory Coast defeated Nigeria 2-1 at the Alassane Quatarra Stadium in Abidjan to win their third AFCON trophy, LCSoccerHub Reports.

Despite having their back against the wall throughout the match, Nigeria first took the lead through William-Troost Ekong, who nodded in a corner-kick to give the Super Eagles the lead after the half-hour.

Ivory Coast ramped up their attempt to find an equaliser but waited till the 61st minute before they could find the back of the net.

The hosts broke the goal deadlock when Franck Kessie nodded home a corner-kick to make it 1-1.

The Elephants were still maintaining a commanding control of proceedings after the leveler with Nigeria still struggling to establish their presence in the game.

In the 81st minute, Sebastian Haller was the unlikely hero. The Borussia Dortmund striker scored with his back foot, poking home a cross by Adingra to complete a stunning comeback for the Ivoriens.

Nigeria began to break out of their low blocks after Ivory Coast took the lead. The Super Eagles made frantic late efforts to find an equaliser before the final whistle but could not find a breakthrough. At the blast of the final, Ivory Coast won 2-1 to clinch their third AFCON trophy.

It was an incredible comeback for the Ivoriens coming from the brink of group-stage exit to win the tournament. Nigeria had their fourth AFCON trophy on the line going into the game but did little to make any reasonable impression. The Super Eagles have now lost five AFCON finals more than any other team while the Ivoriens were only in their 5th final, winning three.

Also, Ivory Coast have now joined other African countries that have hosted and won the tournament. No African country, who have hosted and reached the final of the tournament have lost it to their opponent.

All eyes will now be on the 2025 AFCON which will be hosted in Morocco with the qualifiers set to kick off in March 2024.