• Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Education
  • Health
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
Wednesday, August 13, 2025
  • Login
No Result
View All Result
NEWSLETTER
Elanza News
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Education
  • Health
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Education
  • Health
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
No Result
View All Result
Elanza News
Home Sports

Ivory Coast Halts Super Eagles Flight To Win AFCON Trophy

Ojimaojo Abubakar by Ojimaojo Abubakar
February 12, 2024
in Sports, News
0
Ivory Coast Halts Super Eagles Flight To Win AFCON Trophy
0
SHARES
5
VIEWS
FacebookTwitterWhatsappEmailTelegram

Super Eagles lost to host Ivory Coast in a thrilling Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final match at the Alassane Ouattara Olympic Stadium in Ebimpe, Abidjan, on Sunday.

Nigeria looked set to repeat their 1-0 victory over the Ivorians at the Ebimpe Olympic Stadium during the group stage when captain William Troost-Ekong, who had netted a penalty to decide that first meeting, rose to head in the opener late in the first half.

However, Franck Kessie equalised just after the hour mark and Haller turned in Simon Adingra’s cross in the 81st minute to spark wild celebrations among the sea of orange in the Abidjan stands.

RelatedPosts

Zamfara scholarship parents slam gov Lawal neglect ,commwmds Matawalle vision

APC Berrates Governor Kefas to Uphold Constitution Over Deputy Governor’s Absence

BREAKING: Court Clears Ibom Air Passenger

Ivory Coast’s success sees them add this year’s title to those claimed in 1992 and 2015, while this win also allows them to join Nigeria on three Cup of Nations triumphs overall.

Only Egypt, Cameroon and Ghana have won the title more often, with the Super Eagles squandering the opportunity to match their Ghanaian rivals on four victories.

Spearheaded by reigning African player of the year Osimhen, the Nigerians had looked the most formidable team in the competition over the last month.

However, Ivory Coast’s sense of destiny was simply too overpowering, as they became the first host country to win the AFCON since 2006.

Didier Drogba captained the Elephants team that lost on penalties to Egypt in Cairo in that final 18 years ago, while this time he was among the spectators to witness a stunning victory for his country.

ALSO READ:  PDP Women Group Calls For Review of Nasarawa Guber Polls

*Back from the brink*

It is an incredible achievement for a side that was on the brink of elimination in the group stage, after losing 4-0 to Equatorial Guinea on January 22.

That was their heaviest ever home defeat and the Ivorians then parted company with coach Jean-Louis Gasset, replacing him with Emerse Fae, a teammate of Drogba’s in 2006.

They then began a remarkable turnaround which saw them oust holders Senegal on penalties, beat Mali with a last-gasp goal in extra time, and edge out DR Congo with a Haller goal in the last four.

Their supporters packed out the stadium to its 60,000 capacity, with many fans having to watch the game from vantage points on stairways.

Anyone wanting to dampen the excitement levels might have pointed out that Cup of Nations finals tend to be low-scoring affairs.

There were just 10 goals scored in the last 11 finals, five of which were decided on penalties after a 0-0 stalemate.

Indeed, Ivory Coast’s four previous final appearances had all ended goalless before going to penalties, two of which they had won.

This looked set to be another nervy, low-scoring affair with chances few and far between early on.

However, the home side then had a great chance on 34 minutes when Kessie found Adingra on the left and his shot was turned away by Nigerian goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.

That proved crucial, as Nigeria went ahead just four minutes later when Ademola Lookman’s corner from the left was touched on and Troost-Ekong headed in from the edge of the six-yard area.

ALSO READ:  EFCC arrests 11 suspected currency racketeers in Port Harcourt

Earlier in the tournament, the Ivorians would have crumbled in such a scenario, but they deserve great credit for regrouping at the interval and throwing everything at Nigeria.

Max-Alain Gradel’s netbound shot was blocked in front of the line by Calvin Bassey, five minutes after the restart, before Nwabali turned an Odilon Kossounou long-range piledriver around the post on 62 minutes.

They drew level from the corner which followed that, as Kessie, whose late penalty had rescued the host against Senegal in the last 16, appeared at the back post to head into the net.

It seemed inevitable that a second Ivory Coast goal would follow and it duly did with nine minutes of the 90 to play as Haller got his studs to Adingra’s cross and diverted the ball into the far corner.

Behind for the first time since their opening match, Nigeria could not react, and Ivory Coast held on for victory.

Ojimaojo Abubakar

Ojimaojo Abubakar

Abubakar Ojimaojo is a graduate of Mass Communication, political and football analyst currently work at elanzanews.ng as Editor. He pride himself as skilled wordsmith with a passion for delving into contemporary political issues on both national and international scale.

Related Posts

Zamfara scholarship parents slam gov Lawal neglect ,commwmds Matawalle vision

Zamfara scholarship parents slam gov Lawal neglect ,commwmds Matawalle vision

by Ojimaojo Abubakar
August 13, 2025
0

Parents of Zamfara State students studying in Cyprus under a scholarship scheme have accused Governor Dauda Lawal Dare of abandoning...

APC Berrates Governor Kefas to Uphold Constitution Over Deputy Governor’s Absence

APC Berrates Governor Kefas to Uphold Constitution Over Deputy Governor’s Absence

by Nathaniel Irobi
August 13, 2025
0

By Nahum Sule, Jalingo The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Taraba State has accused Governor Dr. Agbu Kefas of allowing...

BREAKING: Court Clears Ibom Air Passenger

BREAKING: Court Clears Ibom Air Passenger

by Nathaniel Irobi
August 13, 2025
0

An Ikeja Magistrate Court sitting in Ogba, Lagos State on Wednesday, discharged Comfort Emmanson, the passenger accused of unruly behaviour...

Recommended

Dangote Refinery Gets New CEO

BREAKING: Dangote Refinery Reduces Petrol Price to N830/litre

1 day ago
Dr. Aminu Maida’s Transformative Strides as NCC EVC

Dr. Aminu Maida’s Transformative Strides as NCC EVC

4 days ago

Popular News

  • Cross River State Triumphs at Prestigious All-women Interstate Debate

    Cross River State Triumphs at Prestigious All-women Interstate Debate

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • BRGIE Acting Prime Minister Provides Explosive Testimony to U.S. Congress Calling For Release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu & Simon Ekpa

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Haske: The Rise Of A New Movement

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Rahila Bags Presidential’s NYSC Honours Award For Community Service

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Intrigues and Political Uncertainty over 2027 APC Governorship Candidate for Taraba 

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Connect with us

Facebook Instagram Twitter Youtube
Elanza logo

Elanza News is your NO 1 online platform for all news update.
#SayNoToFakeNews
Contact Us

Category

  • Arts & Literature (25)
  • Business (759)
  • Education (222)
  • Entertainment (314)
  • Health (200)
  • National (2,298)
  • News (8,515)
  • Opinion (312)
  • Politics (1,677)
  • Science (15)
  • Security (407)
  • Sports (460)

Newsletter

© 2023 Elanza News - The No 1 online news platform

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Science
  • National
  • Entertainment
  • Sports
  • Health

© 2023 Elanza News - The No 1 online news platform