Ivory Coast won the Africa Cup of Nations 2023 by scoring two goals against Nigeria, who scored one goal in the final match played on February 11, 2024.
Ivory Coast emerged as champions by becoming heroes from zero. They have won the trophy for the third time, considering their wins in 1992 and 2015. Ivory Coast was also the host for the AFCON 2023.
The match opened with a goal scored by Nigeria’s Captain – William Ekong, in the first thirty-eight minutes for his nation.
Later in the second half, the hosts Ivory Coast pushed forward and levelled the score with a goal from Franck Kessie in sixty-two minutes.
After 20 minutes Sebastien Haller became hero for his country by scoring the final goal that made the Ivory Coast win the AFCON 2023 cup.
Ivory Coast was eliminated after the country failed to qualify amongst the top two teams in their group and fired their coach earlier in the process.
Then Emerson Fae became their new coach who has emerged out as the best coach for the national football team. He took the charge of the French Coach Jean Louis Gasset and was fired before the knockout phase followed by two straight defeats.
Emerson Fae staged a comeback win against the defending champions Senegal in the 16th round and staged another comeback win against Mali in the quarterfinals.
The fortunes of the national team took turn when Zambia lost to Morocco allowing the team to qualify as the best loser transforming the destiny of the tournament and Ivory Coast as a nation.
The winning match was also beneficial for Simon Adringa as he became Man of the Match. 22-year-old footballer played exceptionally for Brighton (EPL).
Another football player, Ronwen Williams named Best Goalkeepers of AFCON 2023.
Nigeria lost to Ivory Coast but won its fifth silver medal, extending its record of being the country with the highest number of AFCON medals.
Nigeria has won 16 medals in total, 3 gold, 5 silver and 8 bronze medals.