Sebastien Haller was the hero for Ivory Coast again as the Elephants came from behind to beat Nigeria and win the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final on home soil.
The striker, who had also netted the semi-final winner just 13 months on from his return from testicular cancer, flicked in Simon Adingra’s cross with the toe of his boot with nine minutes remaining to complete a second-half comeback and spark wild celebrations in Abidjan.
William Troost-Ekong had put Nigeria ahead seven minutes before the end of a cagey first half when the centre-back rose highest to powerfully head in from nine yards out following a corner.
Franck Kessie nodded in the equaliser in the 62nd minute when he was left unmarked at the back post from Adingra’s corner.
After a remarkable run to the final, which included the departure of coach Jean-Louis Gasset after two defeats in the group stage, the Ivorians clinched a third continental title with a deserved victory.
More to follow.
Line-ups
Nigeria
Formation 3-4-2-1
- 23NwabaliBooked at 53mins
- 6Ajayi
- 5Troost-Ekong
- 21Bassey
- 2AlwaysBooked at 90mins
- 8LookSubstituted forMoffiat 86′minutes
- 17IwobiSubstituted forYusufat 79′minutes
- 3SanusiSubstituted forThey areat 86′minutes
- 11ChukwuezeSubstituted forSimonat 56′minutes
- 18LookmanSubstituted forIheanachoat 79′minutes
- 9Osimhen
Substitutes
- 1You will
- 4Yusuf
- 7Musa
- 10They are
- 12Osayi-Samuel
- 14Iheanacho
- 15Simon
- 19Onuachu
- 20Awaziem
- 22Homer
- 24Moffi
- 25onyedika
Ivory Coast
Formation 4-3-3
- 1Breathing
- 17AurierBooked at 54minsSubstituted forSingoat 70′minutes
- 7Kossounou
- 21I'm sorryBooked at 90mins
- 3Konan
- 8Kessie
- 4SeriSubstituted forAmaniat 90+2′minutes
- 6BreathingBooked at 87minsSubstituted forSangaréat 88′minutes
- 15GradelSubstituted forDiakiteat 70′minutes
- 22HallerSubstituted forKrassoat 88′minutes
- 24Adingra
Substitutes
- 2Diomande
- 5Singo
- 9Bamba
- 11Krasso
- 13have
- 14Diakite
- 18Sangaré
- 19Pepe
- 20Kouamé
- 23Sangaré
- 26Diallo
- 27Amani
Live Text
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Match ends, Nigeria 1, Ivory Coast 2.
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Second Half ends, Nigeria 1, Ivory Coast 2.
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Evan Ndicka (Côte d’Ivoire) is shown the yellow card.
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Ibrahim Sangaré (Côte d’Ivoire) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Terem Moffi (Nigeria).
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Attempt missed. Alhassan Yusuf (Nigeria) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left following a set piece situation.
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Foul by Oumar Diakité (Ivory Coast).
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Calvin Bassey (Nigeria) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Attempt missed. Wilfried Singo (Côte d’Ivoire) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by Ibrahim Sangaré.
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Foul by Oumar Diakité (Ivory Coast).
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Ola Aina (Nigeria) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Substitution, Ivory Coast. Lazare Amani replaces Jean Seri.
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Ola Aina (Nigeria) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Simon Adingra (Côte d’Ivoire) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Ola Aina (Nigeria).
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Attempt blocked. Kelechi Iheanacho (Nigeria) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Joe Aribo.
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Foul by Jean-Philippe Krasso (Ivory Coast).
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Calvin Bassey (Nigeria) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Substitution, Ivory Coast. Ibrahim Sangaré replaces Seko Fofana because of an injury.
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Substitution, Ivory Coast. Jean-Philippe Krasso replaces Sébastien Haller.
