In a thrilling final match held at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan on Sunday, February 11, the host nation, Ivory Coast, emerged victorious in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Ivory Coast secured the tournament title by defeating Nigeria with a scoreline of 2-1. Sebastien Haller emerged as the hero for Ivory Coast once again, leading his team to a remarkable comeback victory.
Nigeria took the lead seven minutes before the end of the first half, courtesy of William Troost-Ekong’s headed goal from a corner. However, Ivory Coast responded strongly in the second half, with Franck Kessie equalizing in the 62nd minute after being left unmarked at the back post from Adingra’s corner.
The decisive moment came nine minutes before the final whistle when Sebastien Haller flicked in Simon Adingra’s cross with a precise touch, completing Ivory Coast’s second-half comeback and securing the tournament victory for his country.
