Cote d’Ivoire’s fairy tale run in the African Cup of Nations came to a fitting end as they came from behind to beat Nigeria 2-1 to lift the trophy in the final game of the tournament played Sunday at the Olympic Stadium Ebimpe Abidjan.
William Troost-Ekong gave the Super Eagles a dream start with hIs 38 minutes headed goal from a corner kick, but they couldn’t survive the Elephants stampede in the second half, surrendering their slim lead and conceding two goals that crush their hopes of winning.
Franck Kessie nodded in the equaliser in the 62nd minute from a corner kick and in the 81st minute Sebastien Haller with a flick scored the second goal to give the cheering Ivorian fans their wish of winning after seeing the Elephants suffer two defeats in the group stage to ride to the final.
It was Cote d’Ivoire’s third title after winning in 1992 and 2015 and become the first tournament hosts to triumph since Egypt lifted the trophy in 2006.
Interim coach Emerse Fae masterminded Ivory Coast’s passage through the knockout stages, which included dramatic victories over defending champions Senegal and Mali after late equalisers in both games.
