11 February 2024 at 23:02
Ivory Coast won the final of the Africa Cup of Nations
Borussia Dortmund striker Sebastian Haller wrote himself into the Ivorian history books when he decided the final of the Africa Cup of Nations against Nigeria on Sunday.
The spearhead found space in the box and scored the decisive 2-1 goal for the host nation with ten minutes left to play. It is the first time since 2015 that the Ivory Coast has won the tournament.
In 2022 and 2023, Haller fought his way back to the football field after contracting testicular cancer. It was discovered shortly after he signed for Dortmund from Ajax.
Earlier in the match, former Haugesund player William Troost-Ekong had sent Nigeria into the lead with a header, before Franck Kessié equalized after a corner kick.
After 25 minutes, a high temperature arose between Evan N`Dicka and Victor Osimhen. The latter was furious after being served an elbow in the head region. Seconds later, Nigeria’s national team manager José Peseiro raged in the wake of Osimhen receiving a free kick against him. Thus he was rewarded with a yellow card.
With less than ten minutes left until the break, Samuel Chukwueze made contact with a corner kick from the left, before Troost-Ekong majestically dispatched the ball into the back of the net with a great header. The centre-back has previously played for Haugesund in the Eliteserien.
Shortly after the change of sides, the Ivory Coast came very close to equalizing after good attacking play from the left, but Nigeria escaped with a scare. When the clock had passed the hour, Kessié finally equalized for the Ivorians. With ten minutes to go, Haller completed the turnaround.
On Saturday evening, South Africa secured the bronze medal in the championship after a penalty shootout against Congo.
(NTB)