Because the match was broadcast on an enormous display screen at a stadium in Lagos, Nigerian soccer followers placed on courageous faces as they watched their facet lose to Ivory Coast within the ultimate of the Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday.
Nonetheless, some spectators began trickling out of Onikan Stadium earlier than the ultimate whistle blew on Nigeria's 2-1 defeat.
Nigerian followers turned out in droves within the nation's financial capital and the continent's most populous metropolis, hoping for a uncommon second of excellent information because the nation grapples with an financial disaster.
However host nation Ivory Coast gave up these goals and gained the match for the third time.
“Some should lose, some should win,” mentioned Lagos spectator John Olabiwi.
“We’re the most effective workforce, however it’s a recreation of likelihood. They have been wonderful,” mentioned avid fan Lorreta Ishola, who has watched each match within the competitors.
It might be an understatement to say that Nigerians have been wanting ahead to the ultimate.
Nigeria have been African champions in 1980, 1994 and 2013 and had not featured in an Africa Cup of Nations ultimate since their final title.
However beating the elephants on residence soil in Abidjan proved an excessive amount of of a problem.
William Troost-Ekong headed Nigeria into the lead late within the first half, however Franck Kessie equalized on the hour mark and Sebastien Haller poked residence the winner with 9 minutes to go.
Nigerians have been hit onerous by the financial disaster that has despatched inflation and the price of residing hovering over the previous eight months, and plenty of had hoped the victory would deliver much-needed aid.
There was a lot pleasure within the build-up to the match that the Lagos State Ministry of Well being issued recommendation to followers, warning them to “maintain calm”, take breaks, keep hydrated and “be ready for emergencies”.
When defender Troost-Ekong headed Nigeria forward late within the first half, it introduced rigidity to the group in Lagos.
Followers chanted star goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali's title with each save: “Nwabali! Nwabali! Nwabali!”
However Ivory Coast's second purpose dampened the group's temper.
“I really feel dangerous, I'm dissatisfied,” mentioned Becky Jimoh, who got here to help her workforce.
The stadium was nearly empty when an routinely programmed fireworks show went off for the remaining dissatisfied followers.
