Football fans across Africa gathered at the 60,000 Alassane Outtara Stadium, Ebimpe in Abidjan on Sunday night to see tactics, commitment, excitement and energy in the fast growing tournament in the world of sports and of cause as far as round leather game is concerned, the African Cup Of Nation “AFCON” 2023 edition came to an end in Abidjan.
Champions Ivory Coast were the better side after dominating possession from beginning to an end of the encounter in front of their home vociferous fans.
Nigeria who came with a defensive style of play and only waited for the counter as they lacked cohesion, precision and power, playing long balls as they were of ideas and didn’t know what to do with the ball in the final third.
Jose Peseiro gave Samuel Chukwueze the nod starting ahead of Moses Simon but he was no where to be found with the time he spent on the field as he contributed nothing in the game.
Brighton winger, Ndingra was in turn on the flesh of Nigeria with his running and dribbling skills gave Aina a torrid night to forget.
Ivory Coast were the better side creating a better chance in the first half as they pressed and searched for an opener in the early minutes of the thrilling encounter.
Ndingra almost gave the hosts the lead after Calvin Bassey misplaced his passes by giving away a possession but Nwabali came to the rescue as he stretched to save the ball into a corner.
However it was Super Eagles who drew the first blood in the 36 minutes as captain, Ekong rose above to nodd the ball into the top right corner after the Ivorians failed to deal with a corner kick to beat the goalkeeper into the nets as Nigeria celebrated their lead to silence the mammoth home fans.
Despite trailing, the hosts came to live searching for an equalizer tormenting Nigeria defence as the referee signalled the end of the first half.
The hosts began from where they left off in the first half with more confidence, agility on the ball with home fans solidly behind them.
After the hour mark, Stanley Nwabali pushed away a shot from Fofana into a corner and the Ivorians restored the parity from a resulting corner with Frank Kessie placing the ball with his head to an empty as the stadium erupted.
Emerse Fae led side pressing and pressing for a lead as Super Eagles looked jaded and didn’t know what to do with the ball by losing more possession to their opponents.
The goal they were waiting for later came, after Ndingra dribbled past Aina and putting a cross into the box as Haller jabbed the ball with his right leg beating Nwabali into the nets to give the hosts the lead in the 78 minutes.
Super Eagles searched for equalizer as Jose Peseiro made several substitutions to save the day but the Ivorians remained resolute at the back defending with their heart and soul.
And it was a nervy end for the Ivorians as fourth officials signaled 7 minutes of additional time as Nigeria put more men forward to take the game into an extra time but Ivory Coast padlocked their defense to celebrate their 3rd Afcon titles in style, hard work, lively and spirited display in front of their home fans.
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