From our special correspondent in Abidjan – Ivory Coast defeated Nigeria 2-1 on Sunday in the final of the African Cup of Nations (CAN). Initially trailing, the Elephants found the resources to equalize, then overthrow the Super Eagles and thus win their coveted third star. Consecration of a beautiful journey, full of emotions until the end.
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Ivory Coast has broken the curse of the host country. The Elephants won their CAN at home, 18 years after Egypt, the last nation to have offered this gift to its fans. The Ivorians produced a match that reflected the image of their tournament. First led, they didn’t give up and overthrew Nigeria in the CAN 2024 final (2-1).
Like any self-respecting finale, it was preceded by a sober closing ceremony: between two fireworks, the reggae legend Alpha Blondy and the Tam Sir band heated up the audience between “Cocody Rock” and “Hammer blow”.
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An audience who understood that the role of 12th man was important. He makes as much noise as possible to encourage his Elephants, determined to help Ivory Coast “keep the cup at home”, in the words of coach Emerse Faé. It is also the legend Didier Drogba who brings the trophy onto the pitch, helping to raise the heat of an already boiling stadium a notch.
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At a press conference, the selectors assured that this match would have nothing to do with that of the group phase, won by the Super Eagles (1-0). However, José Peseiro chose continuity by renewing the same starting 11 for Nigeria, while Emerse Faé changed half of the team: Adingra, Gradel, Seri, Kossounou and Haller are on the field at kick-off.
Dominant Ivory Coast
It is also the latter who quickly stands out by weighing on the Nigerian defense. Sébastien Haller has a ball confiscated by Nwabali at the last minute (4th). Then his shot hits the post (7th). The Elephants master the match: Seko Fofana tests the Nigerian goalkeeper from afar (14th) then Gradel attempts a scissors (21st) which finds the small outside net.
Opposite, Nigeria multiplies the mistakes, breaking the rhythm of the match. On his bench, José Peseiro is furious, accusing the referee of being blind to the numerous attacks on Victor Osimhen. He received a yellow card for his vehemence and the cool-down break came at just the right time to calm things down.
Troost-Ekong opens the scoring
Against the run of play, Nigeria took advantage of a corner. Captain William Troost-Ekong arrives to recover a counterattack from Seri, and gets the better of Serge Aurier. He places a header out of reach of Yahia Fofana and makes the Ébimpé stadium scream in distress (38th, 1-0). It’s the Elephants who take a hit from the hammer.
“Could this be reversed”, as our friends at CAF say? Seko Fofana sounds the revolt by taking his chance from thirty meters full axis just before half-time. Stanley Nwabali stops in two stages in the middle of his cage (45th + 4).
Returning from the locker room, the Elephants waste no time. A free kick from Gradel was repelled by Osimhen himself, who came to set an example for his partners (48th). Continuing, there is fire in the Nigerian defense but Bassey slows Gradel’s strike sufficiently for Nwabali to seize it (49th).
Kessié equalizes
A few minutes later, the Elephants captain collapsed in the area after contact with Sanusi. Gradel remains on the ground for many minutes, the stadium calls for a penalty but the referee does not flinch and prefers to sanction the words exchanged between Nwabali and Aurier (55th).
The solution will finally come from a corner, following a potato from Kossounou. Simon Adingra sends his cross to the far post. Kessié is unmarked and dives his head (62nd, 1-1). the Ivorians finally catch their breath thanks to what constitutes the first Ivorian goal in an African Cup final, despite four contested and two won.
Ivory Coast believes in it and wants to blow up the Nigerian safe a second time. Simon Adingra, very lively on his side, addresses yet another cross. This time, Sébastien Haller attempts an acrobatic return which comes within a few centimeters of ending up in the annals of the CAN finals (75th).
A few minutes later, it was the Ivorian miraculous who scored the coronation goal. Adingra, decidedly untenable, plays Aina with a hook and follows up with a cross. Haller is more lively than captain Troost-Ekong to send the ball into the back of the net (81st).
Ivory Coast brilliantly resisted the fury of the Nigerians in the final minutes to offer its supporters a celebration that Abidjan is likely to remember for a long time. And from tomorrow, everyone will have to embroider a third star on the orange tunic.