Ivory Coast come from behind with late Haller goal to win 2-1 at Africa Cup of Nations
12 February 2024 - 00:12
by Mark Gleeson
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Ivory Coast's Sebastien Haller celebrates scoring their second goal with Simon Adingra at Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara, Abidjan, Ivory Coast, February 11 2024. Picture: SIPHIWE SIBEKO/REUTERS
Abidjan — Sebastien Haller scored the winning goal nine minutes from the end as hosts Ivory Coast came from behind to claim a third Africa Cup of Nations title with a 2-1 victory over Nigeria in the final at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan on Sunday.
It was a triumph born from adversity as the Ivorians scraped out of their group following two defeats, including a humiliating 4-0 loss to Equatorial Guinea, before finding their form in the knockout rounds with a never-say-die attitude that led them to the title.
William Troost-Ekong’s header gave Nigeria a first-half lead as he rose to meet Samuel Chukwueze’s flick-on from a corner, but Franck Kessie equalised just past the hour-mark after being left unmarked at the back post from a set-piece.
The Ivorians had to come from behind several times in the tournament and did it again when Haller steered Simon Adingra’s cross into the net, much to the delight of his rookie coach Emerse Fae, who had started the tournament as assistant to sacked Frenchman Jean-Louis Gasset.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Ivory Coast beat Nigeria to win Afcon final
Ivory Coast come from behind with late Haller goal to win 2-1 at Africa Cup of Nations
Abidjan — Sebastien Haller scored the winning goal nine minutes from the end as hosts Ivory Coast came from behind to claim a third Africa Cup of Nations title with a 2-1 victory over Nigeria in the final at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan on Sunday.
It was a triumph born from adversity as the Ivorians scraped out of their group following two defeats, including a humiliating 4-0 loss to Equatorial Guinea, before finding their form in the knockout rounds with a never-say-die attitude that led them to the title.
William Troost-Ekong’s header gave Nigeria a first-half lead as he rose to meet Samuel Chukwueze’s flick-on from a corner, but Franck Kessie equalised just past the hour-mark after being left unmarked at the back post from a set-piece.
The Ivorians had to come from behind several times in the tournament and did it again when Haller steered Simon Adingra’s cross into the net, much to the delight of his rookie coach Emerse Fae, who had started the tournament as assistant to sacked Frenchman Jean-Louis Gasset.
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