Sebastien Haller scores winner for Ivory Coast vs Nigeria AFCON final, 2-1

Sebastien Haller secured the Ivory Coast’s third AFCON title – a year after recovering from cancer – in a dramatic 2-1 comeback win over Nigeria.

The Super Eagles took the lead against the run of play after William Troost-Ekong outleapt Serge Aurier and powered a header into the top corner in the 38th minute. The tournament hosts weren’t going down without a fight, however, and had it not been for a brilliant goal-line block from Calvin Bassey to deny Max Gradel, they would have equalised just after half time. The Elephants’ pressure finally told, though, as Franck Kessie headed home Simon Adingra’s corner to send the home crowd wild just after the hour mark. Ivory Coast were growing into the game and took a deserved lead nine minutes from time as Borussia Dortmund striker Haller, who underwent two surgeries and chemotherapy after his testicular cancer diagnosis in 2022, exquisitely flicked home Adingra’s pinpoint cross. Despite a late surge, the Ivorians, who sacked manager Jean-Louis Gasset following their 4-0 group stage loss to Equatorial Guinea last month and appointed Emerse Fae as interim boss, held on to complete a remarkable turnaround at a raucous Alassane Ouattara Stadium.

Despite Kessie and Haller grabbing the crucial goals for the Ivorians, Brighton winger Adingra was a constant threat throughout and bagged two superb assists. Nigeria struggled to handle the 22-year-old’s pace and trickery in a statement performance.

Victor Osimhen: The Nigerian and Napoli striker had a quiet game against the Ivorians, who kept the prolific forward under wraps for the majority of the contest. Osimhen fed off scraps as Nigeria deservedly lost, and finishes the tournament with just one goal to his name from seven appearances.

Source: Goal