Ivory Coast beats Nigeria 2-1 to win 2023 AFCON

Ivory Coast beat Nigeria 2-1 to win the 2023 AFCON in a dramatic final and win their third AFCON trophy. Ivory Coast went a goal down in the 38th minute but came back strongly to score two goals to beat the most-fancied Nigeria 2-1.

The Elephants of La Côte d’Ivoire have won the 34th edition of the coveted African Cup of Nations by beating the Super Eagles of Nigeria in the finals.

Ivory Coast made it to the round of 16 as one of the best third-placed teams in the tournament after they lost their second and third group games at the group stage.

How Ivory Coast beat Nigeria 2-1 to win 2023 AFCON

Despite Nigeria taking the lead in the 38th minute of the game, Ivory Coast equalised in the 62nd minute before adding the winning goal in the 81st minute of regular time.

Ivory Coast has joined other nations that hosted and won the tournament, such as South Africa. This is the first time Ivory Coast has won the AFCON trophy in open play; their first and second wins in the 1992 and 2015 finals against Ghana were after penalties.

Nigeria took the lead in the 38th minute. Nigeria’s goal came through William Troost-Ekong, while Ivory Coast scored through Franck Kessie and Sebastian Haller.

When Ivory Coast came back on level pegging in the 62nd minute, they proved their character; they have always come from a goal down in their last two matches to win. They stung Nigeria in the 81st minute with the winning goal from Hallar.

In the end, Nigeria’s dreams of winning their fourth AFCON were dashed by the Ivorians, who won their third AFCON in a 2-1 thriller in front of their home fans.

The match on Sunday, February 11, 2024, concluded the 2023 AFCON tournament, which commenced on January 10, 2024.