Hosts Cote d’Ivoire Beats Nigeria 2-1, Wins 2023 AFCON

By Chidi Nwoke, Abuja.

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The Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire have been crowned champions after coming from behind to beat the Super Eagles of Nigeria 2-1 in the finals of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), courtesy of goals from Frank Kessie and Sebastien Haller, at the Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara in Abidjan.

The hosts looked doomed after William Troost-Ekong’s first half opener for Nigeria in Abidjan. But Frank Kessie equalised after the break before Haller, who recovered from cancer last year, sparked a frenzy in the stadium by firing the late winner.

It capped an incredible turnaround for Cote d’Ivoire after almost crashing out in the group stages. Their campaign appeared over after a disastrous 4-0 loss to Equatorial Guinea.

Cote d’Ivoire were led by Interim Manager, Emerse Fae, after they fired their former Coach, Jean-Louis Gasset who finished third in the group stage. Fae inspired a spirited fightback to reach the final and claim Africa’s biggest football prize after beating Nigeria in the final.

Preview

The Super Eagles of Nigeria are taking on hosts the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire for a chance to claim the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title, at the Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara in Abidjan.

Nigeria started with African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen in attack, with Samuel Chukwueze and Ademola Lookman supporting on the flanks. For Cote d’Ivoire, Sebastien Haller led the line, while Simon Adingra and Max Gradel were on the wings.

The clash between the two the African giants promises to deliver goal-mouth action, captivating tackles, skills and and unwavering determination.

KICK OFF!!!

1′ We are off at the Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara in Abidjan, where Nigeria are taking on hosts Cote d’Ivoire in the finals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

2′ Cote d’Ivoire awarded a free kick in their own half.

5′ Free kick to Cote d’Ivoire.

Action during Africa Cup of Nations finale between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and hosts Cote D’Ivoire, at the Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara in Abidjan.

6′ Corner kick to Cote d’Ivoire.

7′ Cote d’Ivoire striker Sebastian Haller misses an attempt on goal.

9′ Nigeria defends  dangerous free kick from Cote d’Ivoire.

11′ Referee Beida Fahane signals a free kick to Cote d’Ivoire.

12′ Super Eagles defender Ola Anino stops a cross into the box. Corner kick for Cote d’Ivoire.

13′ Cote d’Ivoire midfielder Seko Fofana fires in a shot, but Nigerian goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali makes a good save.

14′ Free kick to Cote d’Ivoire.

16′ Throw-in to Cote d’Ivoire.

19′ Corner kick to Cote d’Ivoire.

20′ Cote d’Ivoire defender Evan Ndicka tries a bicycle kick in Nigeria’s penalty box, but fires wide.

21′ The hosts push forward but Max Gradel’s finish goes wide of the goal.

23′ Free kick to Nigeria.

25′ A fight breaks out between Ivorian defender Ndicka and Osimhen after a challenge on the Nigerian. The referee gives both plays a talking to.

27′ Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro is shown a yellow card for dissent after the challenge on Osimhen.

29′ Nigeria awarded a thrown-in in their own half.

34′ Nigerian goalkeeper Nwabali makes a brilliant save to deny Cote d’Ivoire winger Adingra.

35′ Corner to Cote d’Ivoire.

36′ Ball goes out of play. Goal kick to Nigeria.

38′ GOAL!!!!! NIGERIA ARE AHEAD!!! Defender William Troost-Ekong fires in a brilliant header beyond the reach of Ivorian goalkeeper Yahia Fofana.

Nigerian dfender William Troost-Ekong (5) celebrates goal with teammates.

40′ Free kick to Cote d’Ivoire.

42′ Nigeria awarded a free kick in their own half.

44′ Cote d’Ivoire midfielder Frank Kessie makes a run into Nigeria’s box, but the goalkeeper makes a good save.

45′ Osimhen goes down after stretching for the ball. 

45+1′ The African Footballer of the Year Osimhen is back on his feet.

45+4′ Cote d’Ivoire’s Fofana fires a shot in, but Nigeria’s Nwabali makes the save.

45+5′ An entertaining first half comes to an end as the referee blows the halftime whistle. Nigeria 1-0 Cote d’Ivoire.

The first half of the highly anticipated encounter between Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire has ended 1-0, with the Super Eagles ahead thanks to Troost-Ekongs header, at the Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara in Abidjan.

The players are coming out for the second half of this thrilling encounter. Would both sides change tactics in search of a goal? Lets find out.

46′ Throw-in for Cote d’Ivoire.

48′ Cross into Nigeria’s box. The referee awards  free kick After Zaidu Sanusi makes a challenge outside Nigeria’s Box.

50′ Nigerian goalkeeper Nwabali makes a brilliant save to deny Cote d’Ivoire, while defender Calvin Bassey blocks the rebound.

52Cote d’Ivoire winger Max Gradel goes down in Nigeria’s box after a challenge by Sanusi. The referee looks away.

53′ A VAR check is ongoing for a possible penalty for Cote d’Ivoire.

54′ Nigerian goalkeeper Nwabali and Cote d’Ivoire defender Serge Aurier both shown a yellow card by the referee.

56′ Substitution for Nigeria as Moses Simon replaces Samuel Chukwueze.

58′ Cote d’Ivoire midfielder Jean Michael Seri fires in a shot, but it goes wide.

60′ Frank Kessie heads in an effort for Cote d’Ivoire , but goalkeeper Nwabali makes the save.

61′ Cote d’Ivoire defender Odilon Kossounou Fires in a shot, but Nwabali saves. Corner to Nigeria.

62′ Goal for Cote d’Ivoire!!!!!! Frank Kessie heads home from a corner kick. Nigeria 1-1 Cote d’Ivoire.

65′ Cote d’Ivoire gets a thrown-in in Nigeria’s territory.

68′ Nigeria takes a corner kick but it doesn’t go according to plan.

69′ Substitution for Cote d’Ivoire as Wilfried Stephane Singo replaces Serge Aurier. Oumar Diakite comes on to replace Maz Gradel.

73′ Throw-in for Cote d’Ivoire.

74′ Cote d’Ivoire attack Nigeria’s box and sends a cross in. Striker Sebastian Haller tries a bicycle kick, but his effort goes wide. 

Cote d’Ivoire’s Sebastian Haller (22) tries a bicycle kick.

78′ Midfielder Fofana receives treatment after going down.

79′ Substitution for Nigeria as Alhassan Yusuf replaces Alex Iwobi. Kelechi Iheanacho comes on for Ademola Lookman.

81′ Goal for Cote d’Ivoire!!!! Haller fires in an effort beyond the reach of goalkeeper Nwabali. Nigeria 1-2 Cote d’Ivoire.

Haller celebrates goal against nigeria.

83′ Can Nigeria capitalise from a throw-in deep insideCote d’Ivoire’s half?

86′ Jose Peseiro makes another substitution for Nigeria as Joe Aribo comes on fro Zaidu Sanusi. Terem Moffi also comes on for Frank Onyeka.

87′ The referee shows Cote d’Ivoire midfielder Seko Fofana a yellow card.

88′ Ibrahim Sangare replaces Seko Fofana for Cote d’Ivoire. Jean-Philippe Krasso replaces Sebastian Haller.

90′ Iheanacho fires in a shot, but the Ivorian defence Ndicka stands strong to block the shot.

90+1′ Ola Aina is shown a yellow card by the referee.

90+3′ Jean Thierry Lazare Amani replaces Jean Seri for Cote d’Ivoire.

90+5′ Free kick awarded to Nigeria in their own half.

90+7′ FULL TIME!!!!! The referee blows the final whistle. Cote d’Ivoire have done it!!! Nigeria 1-2 Cote d’Ivoire.

 

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