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Spectacular Ekong named MVP of the event
Two second-half objectives from Franck Kessie and Sébastien Haller canceled out William Troost-Ekong's opener as hosts Ivory Coast defeated Nigeria 2-1 to win the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations on house soil on Sunday. The PONS experiences.
After a disastrous group stage by which the Elephants have been virtually eradicated and solely managed to qualify after selecting the final finest loser's place, with coach Jean-Louis Gasset being sacked, it was all value it for a night that may stay lengthy within the reminiscence of the Ivorians will stay on.
The win means the Elephants have gained the AFCON for the third time, having beforehand gained it in 1992 and 2015.
For his or her half, the Eagles have been hoping to win the trophy for the fourth time, having gained it in 1980, 1994 and 2013.
Sunday's assembly marked the twenty ninth time the 2 sides have confronted one another, with Nigeria profitable 9 matches and dropping 10.
Coach Jose Peseiro made two modifications to the aspect that beat South Africa within the semi-finals, with Porto left-back Zaidu Sanusi returning to the beginning line-up, whereas AC Milan winger Samuel Chukwueze began forward of Moses Simon.
The house aspect had the primary likelihood of the match after simply six minutes when Simon Adingra's delicate cross throughout the purpose eluded the outstretched legs of striker Sébastien Haller.
The Elephants continued to dominate possession, inflicting Peseiro's males to make errors and provides away low cost free-kicks.
Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali was examined within the 14th minute when Seko Fofana unleashed a fierce shot, however the 27-year-old goalkeeper was as much as the duty.
Simply 18 minutes into the ultimate match on the Stade Alassane Ouattara, feelings ran excessive as Victor Osimhen confronted Evan Ndicka after the defender appeared to have elbowed the Napoli striker.
Seconds later, the match was deserted once more after Mauritania referee Beida Dahane didn’t award Nigeria a free kick following a foul on Ademola Lookman, with Peseiro flashing a yellow card after protesting vehemently on the referee.
Afterwards there was a nerve-wracking second within the twentieth minute when Zaidu virtually gave away possession in a harmful place, however Nwabali raced out of his submit to clear the ball to security, resulting in a nook for the orange males.
Adingra virtually scored a spectacular volley from the ensuing nook, solely to see his shot hit the aspect netting.
Ivory Coast then virtually opened the scoring within the thirty fourth minute when Franck Kessie discovered a fantastic go and located Adingra, whose shot prompted no downside for Nwabali.
After surviving the hosts' early assault, the Eagles launched their first assault of the match with Alex Iwobi discovering Zaidu however the defender's shot was blocked by Odilon Kossounou within the penalty space, giving Nigeria their first nook of the match .
Ademola Lookman grabbed the ensuing set piece and William Troost-Ekong rose highest to nod house within the thirty eighth minute, his third of the event.
The Eagles grew to become extra assured after Troost-Ekong's purpose and began to manage proceedings because the Ivorians chased the balls.
There was an off-ball incident between Zaidu and Serge Aurier, the place the Ivorian captain interfered with the Nigerian as he made a run for an Iwobi go, however the referee paid no consideration regardless of pleas from the Eagles.
The Ivorians made their intentions recognized instantly after the beginning of the second half as they attacked the Eagles with every thing that they had of their arsenal.
Nwabali and Aurier have been engaged in a disagreement as pressure elevated, with each gamers being cautioned by the referee.
Peseiro made a fast substitution and despatched Simon on for Chukwueze after simply eleven minutes within the second half.
Ivory Coast continued to place stress on the Eagles, who have been sitting too deep, permitting the house aspect to dictate the sport.
The stress paid off within the 62nd minute when Kossounou's shot was parried for a nook. Kessie then nodded to Adingra's cross from the flag.
Adingra, who was named Man of The Match, continued to torment the Eagles protection and the teen produced one other fantastic cross within the 81st minute, which was fantastically transformed into the Eagles' internet by Haller to place Ivory Coast forward .
Regardless of falling behind, the Eagles didn’t seem like a group searching for an equalizer, and the boys in orange continued to ask questions.
The Elephants held on to their slim lead because the referee ended the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations on the Stade Alassane Ouattara.
Troost-Ekong was named the event's Most Beneficial Participant, however Nigerians have been unimpressed by the Eagles' poor efficiency when it mattered most.
“Ivory Coast absolutely deserves this victory. Sadly, the Tremendous Eagles saved their worst efficiency for the ultimate,” stated journalist Nurudeen Obalaola.
One other journalist, Wale Agbede, additionally stated: “Ivory Coast have been poor on this event, but one way or the other we made them look so good. Allow them to take management of the midfield and likewise cross at will.”
Others additionally blamed the gamers for his or her lack of pure particular person brilliance within the remaining.
' Kijkman utterly gone, Iwobi is as if he isn’t there, Zaidu catastrophe, even Aina is a shadow of herself. Parking the bus would all the time have a counterproductive impact,” journalist Benjamin Okenna additionally famous.
