Recap’CAN, continuation and end. At the end of a stunning final, Ivory Coast won CAN 2024 to the detriment of Nigeria. The Ivorian Franck Kessié and the Nigerian Troost-Ekong both made African Cup history. And it’s time to say goodbye… for a year and a half.
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The program of the day
CAN 2024 is over: what are we going to do with our days? The Ivorian players are expected on Monday to receive official congratulations from President Alassane Ouattara, who declared the day after the victory a public holiday.
The final: Ivory Coast in the image of its tournament
Ivory Coast, queen of Africa: an inflamed audience, a stunning storyline and combative Elephants. The Ivorians produced a final like their tournament, full of miracles and desire. Troost-Ekong thought he had done the hardest part by opening the score for Nigeria but Franck Kessié and Sébastien Haller decided otherwise.
Read alsoSébastien Haller, hero of Ivory Coast and symbol of resilience
The closing ceremony
Before the CAN 2024 grand final between Ivory Coast and Nigeria, the Alassane Ouattara stadium in Ébimpé hosted the closing ceremony. A show where Alpha Blondy and Tam Sir, the producer of “Coup du hammer” performed in particular.
In images, in picturesAlpha Blondy, “Hammer”, fireworks… Relive the closing ceremony
In short
Franck Kessié in history: the valiant midfielder from Ivory Coast makes Elephants history. He became the first Ivorian to score a goal in the CAN final. It was their fifth appearance at this stage but the Ivorians have always gone 0-0 and won or lost on penalties.
William Troost Ekong also in history: by scoring his helmet kick in the first half, the Nigeria captain broke a record. He became the first defender to score five goals in the CAN finals, including three this year. Historical.
Didier Drogba, winner at heart: if he could, there is no doubt that he would have entered the field because the former Ivorian international experienced this final to the fullest! Just like the rest of the tournament.
Number 1 supporter of the Elephants, Drogba perhaps brought them luck by coming to present the trophy during the closing ceremony, receiving a standing ovation from the entire stadium. And at the end of the match, he, who had never won the Cup, was the first to come and congratulate his “teammates”.
ReportingDidier Drogba, an intact aura in Ivory Coast and in his native district
The CAN 2024 results:
Winner : Ivory Coast
Finalist :Nigeria
Third : South Africa
Fourth : DR Congo
Best player : William Troost-Ekong (Nigeria)
Best striker : Emilio Nsue Lopez, 5 goals (Equatorial Guinea)
Best goalkeeper : Ronwen Williams (South Africa)
Best Young : Simon Adingra, 22 years old (Ivory Coast)
Fair Play Prize : South Africa
The CAN news
Find all the CAN news from the competition
The statement of the day
José Peseiro, Nigeria coach: “Ivory Coast were better than us today, they managed the pressure better, they did a remarkable job. My team didn’t play at the same level. My team is sad but for me, they did what they could.”
Image of the day: the joy of the Ivorians
Read alsoKings of Africa, the Ivorians thank Morocco and promise celebration until the next CAN
THANKS !
It’s obviously not over, you will still find in the coming days reports, analyses, retrospectives on this crazy African Cup, but we wanted to take advantage of this last CAN Recap to thank you for following the CAN 2024 on France 24.
We hope that you enjoyed reading and watching us as much as we enjoyed covering it and telling it to you… and that you forgive us for our more or less successful attempts at humor.
We’ll see you for CAN 2025 in Morocco, and very soon on France24.com for other sporting events.