Ivory Coast became African Champion, beating Nigeria 2-1 in the final at the Ebimpé Olympic Stadium in Abidjan, the Ivorian economic capital.
Published on: 02/12/2024 – 03:43
4 min
The winner is already known of the 34th edition of the African Football Cup of Nations: the Ivory Coast.
First part: Nigeria advantage
The Nigerian team, which had won 1-0 in the group stage against Ivory Coast, returned to the same starting eleven to try to repeat history.
And that’s almost what happened. The Ivorians pressed in the first minutes, had the best opportunities, but were unable to open the scoring.
Nigeria scored first. With the first shot on goal, the Nigerians scored. In a corner, after a first rebound, it was the captain’s turn.Super Eagles‘, William Troost-Ekong, header into the back of the goal from the Ivorian goalkeeper, Yahia Fofana.
At half-time, and against the statistics, Nigeria were ahead.
William Troost-Ekong (center), Nigerian defender. © AFP / ISSOUF SANOGO
Second part: the twist
The Ivorians were losing to Senegal in the round of 16, before winning 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw, and were also losing to Mali in the quarters, before winning 2-1 in extra time. . This means that the home team never gives up.
It is also necessary to remember that theElephants‘ were close to being eliminated in the group stage. The Ivorians finished with three points in third place in Group A, qualifying for the round of 16 due to the fact that they were one of the four best third-placed teams in six groups. In the group stage, Ivory Coast had lost 1-0 to Nigeria and 4-0 to Equatorial Guinea.
Indeed, The Ivorians’ journey was chaotic, since after the group stage, French coach Jean-Louis Gasset left his position, replaced by assistant from Martinique Emerse Faé. However, the Ivorian Federation tried to obtain the loan of Hervé Renard, who had won the CAN in 2015 and who is currently the coach of the French women’s football team, but France decided to reject this proposal. Emerse Faé ended up being the worker of this ‘miracle‘ as Ivorian fans say.
In the second part of the final, for which the Ivorians qualified by defeating DRC 1-0 with a goal from Sébastien Haller, Ivory Coast continued to attack until they managed to score.
The Nigerian defense, with five men, gave way for the first time in the 62nd minute with a header from Franck Kessié, after a corner. A goal very similar to the one scored by the Nigerians.
The match was tied at 1-1 and Nigeria, led by Portuguese José Peseiro, were unable to leave their midfield.
Under pressure, the Nigerian defense will concede a second goal scored by striker Sébastien Haller who placed the ball in the back of Stanley Nwabali’s goal.
Sébastien Haller turned out to be the hero of Côte d’Ivoire’s last two meetings.
Sébastien Haller (right), Ivorian striker. © AP / Themba Hadebe
Os ‘Elephants‘ won the competition for the third time after 1992 and 2015joining Nigeria who continued with three trophies, however the Nigerians have already lost five finals.
The Ivorians succeed the Senegalese who had won in 2022 Egypt 4-2 on penalties after a goalless draw at the end of regular time and extra time. It should be noted that Egypt was led, at the time, by the Portuguese Carlos Queiroz, and that this year Nigeria was led by the Portuguese coach José Peseiro, however the two Portuguese-speaking coaches were defeated.
It should also be noted that South Africa finished in third place after defeating the Democratic Republic of Congo 6-5 on penalties, as the two teams played out a goalless draw at the end of regulation time and extra time.
Ivorian celebrations. © Pierre René-Worms / RFI