Hosts Seal Third Africa Cup of Nations Title After Stunning Comeback

In a dramatic AFCON final that kept fans on the edge of their seats, Ivory Coast secured a 2-1 victory over Nigeria to win their third continental title. The Elephants, who faced a turbulent path to the final, overturned a 1-0 deficit with two goals in the second half, including a last-minute strike by Sebastian Haller.

Despite a shaky start to their campaign, with two losses in the group stage and a managerial change, Ivory Coast defied the odds. After surviving a penalty shootout and a tense extra-time win, they emerged as champions in front of their home crowd in Abidjan.

The match began with Ivory Coast on the offensive, but Nigeria struck first with a header from William Troost-Ekong in the 38th minute, giving the Super Eagles a 1-0 lead at halftime. However, the hosts came alive in the second half. Franck Kessie equalized in the 60th minute with a powerful header, and Haller completed the comeback with a composed finish in the 80th minute, after a pinpoint cross from Simon Adingra.

The win was particularly poignant for Haller, who had overcome testicular cancer to play a pivotal role in Ivory Coast’s title run. His goal in the final capped an incredible personal and team achievement.

This triumph marks the third AFCON title for Ivory Coast, with previous victories in 1992 and 2015. Despite Nigeria’s solid defensive record throughout the tournament, they were unable to withstand Ivory Coast’s resurgence in the final. The win also brought immense joy to the Ivory Coast fans, who celebrated their team’s resilience and determination.