Hosts, Cote d’Ivoire completed their fairytale run at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations with another stunning comeback to win their third continental title.
In front of 57,094 spectators, Cote d’Ivoire did the unthinkable by coming back from a half-time deficit to record a 2-1 win in front of their fans at the expense of the Super Eagles of Nigeria. Veteran defender, William Troost-Ekong headed Nigeria into a first-half lead with his third goal of the tournament from a corner-kick.
The Ivorians kept up the pressure in the second half and midfielder, Franck Kessie became the first-ever Ivorian to score in an AFCON final when he steered his back-post header into the back of the net just after the hour mark. Striker, Sebastien Haller, who was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2022, beat it and returned to competitive football in January 2023 scored the winning goal to crown Cote d’Ivoire African champions.
The performance from the Super Eagles was lethargic as the Ivorians were all over the Nigerians, especially with the lively Simon Adingra constantly outpacing and bullying right-back, Ola Aina. The Ivorian midfielder deservedly won the Man of the Match award following his two assists that turned the tide of the match. Nigeria has now lost two AFCON finals in Abidjan – a 1-0 loss to Cameroon in 1984 and a 2-1 loss to Cote d’Ivoire in 2023.
The title win caps a fairytale run for Cote d’Ivoire having lost two group games to Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea, relied on Morocco to qualify as one of the third-best placed teams, edged out defending champions, Senegal on penalties, stunned Mali at the death with a remarkable comeback despite playing with a numerical disadvantage en route the final.
Cote d’Ivoire is the first host nation to reach the final and win the tournament since Egypt in 2006 and for the third successive Africa Cup of Nations, an African coach has won the competition – Djamel Belmadi with Algeria in 2019, Aliou Cisse with Senegal in 2021 and Emerse Fae with Cote d’Ivoire in 2023. Former Ivorian international, Emerse Fae, who took over the side during the competition barely three weeks ago won the best coach of the tournament award following his title exploits with the Elephants.
Super Eagles vice-captain, William Troost-Ekong was named the Man of the Competition (MVP) following his heroics for the Nigerian side, where he scored three goals and was rock-solid in defence to lead them to the final. Cote d’Ivoire’s youngster, Simon Adingra, who assisted both goals in the final won the Best Young Player of the Tournament award while South Africa’s captain, Ronwen Williams was named the tournament’s best goalkeeper.
Meanwhile, Equatorial Guinea’s captain, Emiliano Nsue won the Golden Boot having scored 5 goals in 4 games including the tournament’s only hat-trick. Angolan superstar, Gelson Muondo Dala bagged the Silver Boot with 4 goals and 1 assist while Egyptian striker, Mostafa Mohamed scooped the Bronze Boot with 4 goals and 1 assist. The Bafana Bafana of South Africa won the Fair Play Team award.
The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations delivered four weeks of entertaining football characterised by a record 119 goals, stunning upsets, remarkable comebacks, world-class officiating standards, unending drama, and a fairytale run embodied by Cote d’Ivoire’s title triumph. For a tournament that drew over 2 billion viewers globally, all eyes will be on the 2025 edition of the Africa Cup of Nations to be hosted by Morocco in living up to the billing of the highly successful 2023 edition.
