In a decisive and determined mood, Elephants of Cote D’Ivoire on Sunday night thrashed Nigeria’s Super Eagles 2-1 in the final of the 34th African Nations Cup in Abidjan.
The Super Eagles lost their flap from the onset and allowed the Elephants to gain control of game.
The first ten minutes were all Ivory Coast, as Nigeria was holed up deep inside their box, but the Elephants struggled to create clear-cut chances.
With about a quarter of an hour played, Nigeria had committed five fouls against one by Ivory Coast.
By the 20th minute, the tempo had dropped, and the Super Eagles had started getting a grip on the match, but the Nigerian side was still nervy.
Max Gradel and Simon Adingra gave Nigeria problems on the wings, with Ola Aina and Zaidu Sanusi struggling to contain them.
The Ivorians were keeping a close eye on Osimhen and Chukwueze. In the 28th minute, Peseiro received a yellow card following protests about the referee’s decisions.
In the 33rd minute, Adingra could have given Ivory Coast the lead, but Stanley Nwabali blocked the shot and cleared out for a corner kick by Alex Iwobi.
The Ivorians continued to pile the pressure on the Super Eagles but got no joy from the Nigerian defence. However, the Super Eagles looked vulnerable and tired. Peseiro’s wards offered little in attack.
The Super Eagles had a rare opportunity in the 36th minute, but Zaidu Sanusi’s shot was blocked for a corner kick.
The Super Eagles took the lead from the corner kick. William Troost-Ekong powered a looping header that beat Yahia Fofana. It was Ekong’s third goal of AFCON 2023 and he was also the scorer when the two sides clashed in the group stage.
The game continued on its slow tempo after the goal. In the 44th minute, Sébastien Haller teed up Franck Kessie nicely inside the box, but the midfielder could not get onto the end of the pass.
In the last second of the first half, Seko Fofana tested Nwabali with a long-range shot, but the Chippa United goalkeeper made a comfortable save.
The first half ended 1-0 in favour of the Super Eagles, who have only lost one final after they scored first – in 1984.
- Rewritten from Agency reports