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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.
Borussia Dortmund forward Sebastian Haller scored in the latter stages to give hosts Ivory Coast their third-ever Africa Cup of Nations at the expense of rivals Nigeria.
Haller added to Frank Kessie's second half leveller, after Nigeria had scored first through captain William Troost Ekong's glancing header at the Ebimpe Olympic Stadium on Sunday.
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In a tense final, the Ivorians started off with plenty of chances but failed to capitalise. Nigeria took the lead in the 38th minute after a header from Ekong to go into the break one up.
In the second half the Elephants went on the attack again and it was not until the 62nd minute that Kessie equalised with a header from a corner.
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23:20 - 11.02.2024
Super Eagles 1-2 Ivory Coast: Nigerians blame Iwobi for AFCON 2023 Final loss
Nigerians blame Iwobi for Super Eagles AFCON 2023 Final loss to Ivory Coast.
Nine minutes before stoppage time, Adingra's cross to the near post found Haller to tuck home for the 2-1 lead.
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.
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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.
But 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.
GROUP STAGE OUTSIDERS TO CHAMPIONS
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.
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