ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast, Feb 12 – Sebastian Haller scored the winning goal eight minutes to time as hosts Ivory Coast came from a goal down to beat Nigeria 2-1 and clinch the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title on home soil.
It was the completion of a story of redemption for Les Elephants who looked dead and buried after losing two group stage matches, but interim coach Emerse Fae has orchestrated a perfect story of grass to grace as the side clinched their third piece of African diadem.
And for Haller, a man who battled cancer for six months to come back to football, and even whose involvement at the tournament was a doubt due to an ankle injury, it was a perfect script for a fairytale story.
Haller missed the first three games of the tournament, but when needed, stepped up and carried the national team on his shoulders.
Against the Super Eagles, Ivory Coast were hungrier and more determined, and pushed on by a full to capacity crowd at the Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara, they were definitely up for it.
They however found themselves trailing after 38 minutes when Nigerian skipper William Troost-Ekong powered home a header after Samuel Chukwueze brushed a corner to his direction.
In the second half, though, Ivory Coast pushed on and they equalized in the 62nd minute when Franck Kessie headed home a Simon Adingra corner at the backpost.
Brighton youngster Adingra would then play provider again, this time slapping a brilliant cross from the left to Haller who extended a foot ahead of Troost-Ekong to beat the keeper and score what would be the winner.
Nigeria put in a shift to try and get back with head coach Jose Peseiro making changes in personnel, but the home side held on for a massive win at home ensuring that the title remained in Abidjan.
