Ivory Coast Wins Third AFCON Title As Super Eagles Play Below Par Against The Elephants.

Ivory Coast Wins Third AFCON Title As Super Eagles Play Below Par Against The Elephants

By Olopade Sakiru

It was a long night for Nigerians as the Super Eagles of Nigeria dashed the hopes of Nigerians for the fourth AFCON Title as they allowed the host country to clinch the coveted trophy for the third time with a slim victory in the finals of the AFCON 2023.

Right from the blast of the whistle, the Ivorians dictated the pace of the game, bombarding the Super Eagles goal area but not clinical enough to break the deadlock until 38th minute against the run of play when captain Williams Troost Ekong headed the ball past Yahia Fofana to register the first goal of the game. 

The host were all over the pitch against the cautious and jittery Super Eagles for the better part of the match.

The second half saw the hungrier Elephants searching for the equalizer against clueless Eagles and it paid off in the 62nd minute when Franck Kessie restored parity from free header off the corner kick taken by Simon Adinga.

The Elephants remained persistent until they got the second goal that sealed victory for the Ivorians in the 81st minute through Sébastien Haller who fired in from a close range to send the entire 60,000 capacity Alassane Quattara Stadium into wild jubilation.