
AFCON 2023: HOST IVORY COAST WIN’S THIRD AFCON TITLE AS HALLER SCORE LATE WINNER
- Sports News
- February 13, 2024
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Host nation Ivory coast came from behind to defeat Nigeria 2-1 to win their third Afcon title after Sebastian Haller late goal that put the whole nation into wild jubilation.
Last night’s win over the Super Eagles of Nigeria in the Afcon final at the Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara, makes it the third time for the Elephants of La Cote D’Ivoire in winning their third trophy after they won it earlier in 1992 and 2015 respectively.
The Elephants, under caretaker coach Emerse Fae fell behind when Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong headed in a 38th-minute opener against the run of play, but that was cancelled out by Franck Kessie in the second half.
However, with less than 10 minutes to the end of the game, Borussia Dortmund goal poacher-Halker, found the back of the net after tapping in a Simon Adingra’s fine cross in the 81st minute to send the 60,000-seater capacity Alassane Ouattara Stadium into frenzy.
It had been a turbulent run for the host nation from the early stages of the tournament but determination and hardwork spurred them on to the final, with the Elephants of La Cote D’Ivoire scraping through from the group stages with just three points having won one of their three games. Those group stage results led to Jean-Louis Gasset losing his job midstream.
Following Emerse Fae’s appointment, the Ivorians played with a rekindled spirit, winning the round of 16 clash against strong opponent and defending champions Senegal, thanks to a penalty shootout, and then knocked out Mali in an extra time winner. The host nation then relied on a single goal from Sebastien Haller to see them through to the final at the expense of DR Congo.
Ivory Coast has therefore added to history as five of the last six host nations to reach the final had won the AFCON title.

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