Summary

CAN 2024: Ivory Coast overthrows Nigeria and wins its third star

In an electric final, Ivory Coast, supported by its public, found the strength to come back and beat Nigeria (2-1). The Elephants, who have come a long way, are African champions for the third time after 1992 and 2015.

Ivorian Sébastien Haller after his goal in the CAN 2024 final between Nigeria and Ivory Coast in Ébimpé, February 11, 2024. © AP / Themba Hadebe

By: Ndiasse Sambe Follow

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From our special correspondent in Abidjan,

It could only end like this! In madness, collective hysteria, the almost irrational. After getting us accustomed to crazy scenarios, Ivory Coast won its third star in a style that is its trademark in this CAN. Coming out of nowhere to break everything! With the support of 60,000 votes who never stopped pushing, even when Nigeria found itself in the lead after the first period. The Elephants overthrew the Super Eagles and it was far from obvious, well, it's been a long time since anything was more obvious or logical with this Ivory Coast in this CAN.

Because rarely, if not never, has Côte d'Ivoire seemed so sure of itself in this CAN. She displayed a mastery and serenity at the start of the match which demonstrated that she had progressed and learned a lot since her group match lost (0-1) against the Super Eagles.

The blow of Ekong's hammer

Ivory Coast thus dominated the first period without being dangerous, except for this first big opportunity from Adingra well launched from deep. The young attacker sees his left shot find the gloves of Nwabali (34th). The corners are multiplying for the Oranges, but not the dangerous situations, at a time when the Super Eagles are behind on almost all actions. Ivory Coast has entered its final well. Nigeria is suffocated, Osimhen has difficulty being found and displays his nervousness by clinging with defender Evan Ndicka whom he has already encountered on the lawns of Serie A in Italy. Even the Nigerian coach, José Peseiro, usually calm, receives a yellow card for protest. 

Nigeria is contained, but it is at this moment that it strikes in the form of a header from William Paul Troost-Ekong which opened the scoring from a corner (38th). A “hammer blow” that no one saw coming. The perfect hold-up for Nigerians who have long been content to stay in place and not leave space for their opponents.

Haller this hero…

But it was said that Ivory Coast was not going to give up, especially not this Cup which it welcomed at home. And after multiple opportunities by Gradel (50th), Seri (59th), Franck Kessié found the opening with a header from a corner (63rd). Ivory Coast, which had never scored in its four CAN finals, erased an “anomaly” with this team like no other.

Emerse Fae's men will increase the pressure to score the second goal and it is logical that Haller once again cracks the Nigerien defense after very good work from Adingra (81st). In an indescribable atmosphere, fueled by popular fury, the match turned upside down. 

Ivory Coast is ahead. Definitely, because she will not let go of the matter, supported by 60,000 votes and 27 million supporters across the country. José Peseiro's men will try to come back, but it was said that the Cup would stay at home.

The “most beautiful CAN in history” gave birth to a beautiful winner and a miracle-working coach, in the person of Emerse Fae. He will have recovered a team in ruins to take it to the highest summit of African football. Thanks to him, the Ivorians (if they fall asleep) will wake up this Monday, with three stars in their eyes.

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• CAN 2024

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