The hosts Ivory Coast have been crowned the 2023 CAF AFCON champions after defeating Nigeria 2-1 at Alassane Ouattara Stadium on Sunday night.
The Elephants came back from one goal down to claim a historic AFCON triumph on their own turf.
Below are the talking points from this mouthwatering showpiece between the Super Eagles and the Elephants.
WILLIAM TROOST-EKONG LEAD BY EXAMPLE, BUT SEBASTIEN HALLER RUINS THE PARTY
PAOK and Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong led by example as he broke the deadlock in the 38th minute with a beautiful header from a corner kick.
This was Troost-Ekong’s third goal in this prestigious tournament.
However, Troost-Ekong’s goal was cancelled by Franck Kessie’s equaliser in the 62nd minute.
In the 81st minute of the showdown, Sebastien Haller ruined everything for Nigeria as he scored the winning coal for Ivory Coast.
NIGERIA AND IVORY COAST MEET FOR THE SECOND TIME
Both nations meet for the second time in this competition.
The Super Eagles won the first game by 1-0 in the group stages. Before this game, the Elephants hasn’t beaten Nigeria at the AFCON tournament since the 2008 group stages.
Overall, Nigeria and Ivory Coast met for the eighth time at the AFCON [three wins for Nigeria, three for Ivory Coast, and drew two in the process].
IVORY COAST BECOME FIRST NATION TO REACH FINALS AS HOSTS SINCE 2006
Ivory Coast are the first host nation to reach the the AFCON tournament final since Egypt in 2006 and to go all the way to win it.
According to CAF, five of the last six host nations to reach the final have won the tournament, the exception being Nigeria in 2000 [drew 2-2 with Cameroon, lost 4-3 on penalties].
STANLEY NWABALI FAILS TO KEEP CLEAN SHEET
Nigeria and Chippa United goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali failed to keep his fifth clean sheet at the tournament.
Therefore, Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams shines in this tournament after keeping five clean sheets.
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