Captain Troost-Ekong’s initial advantage deceived Osimhen’s national team, which capitulated in the second half. The elephants win the Africa Cup of Nations for the third time in their history
Ivory Coast has believed in destiny since the beginning of this Africa Cup of Nations. And fate rewarded her. Emerse Faé’s team wins the trophy by overcoming Osimhen’s Nigeria in the final: captain Troost-Ekong breaks the deadlock with a header in the first half, then in the second half Kessie and Haller turn it around. The Borussia Dortmund striker – back available from the round of 16 – managed to lead the group to the triumph. Decisive as in the semi-final against the DR of Congo. The party starts in Abidjan: everything is colored orange. A few weeks ago the fans were crying in the stands hoping to get through the group stage with the last place available for the best third-placed teams. Without a coach and with only one success in three games. Now everyone is crying with joy. Ivory Coast raises the cup to the sky for the third time: it did so in 1992 and 2015. This time it’s a completely different victory in front of its people. Fate was right.
Nigeria-Ivory Coast 1-2
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Emerse Faé’s team started better, the best in the first half was Adingra. The Brighton winger sent a cross to Haller at the start of the match, but the Borussia Dortmund striker couldn’t find the ball. Then Graden also tries an acrobatics in the area, which is anything but precise. In the middle of the first half sparks fly between Roma defender Ndicka and Osimhen, the Giallorossi is closely marking the Napoli center forward and in an aerial clash he extends his arm too much. But for the referee the contact is not worth a warning. The Nigeria goalkeeper’s first intervention only came in the 34th minute, when the usual Adingra shot centrally following a perfect assist from Kessie. Despite the siege by the Ivorians, Nigeria passes in the 38th minute. Captain Troost-Ekong jumps very high on a corner, Aurier is unable to counter it, and it is a goal. The former Udinese and Salernitana defender scores again against his opponents after the decisive penalty scored in the group match. At the start of the second half the two Ivorian wingers Adingra and Gradel were happy and this time the shot came from the Gaziantep winger who blocked Nwabili. In the 62nd minute the President equalises: Kessie left alone following a corner kick, all he has to do is push the ball into the goal: it’s 1-1. Second goal in the tournament for the former Barcelona player. In the 74th minute Haller tries a scissors kick in the area, but the Dortmund center forward only hits the target in the 81st minute: with his sole he anticipates Troost-Ekong on Adingra’s winning pass. His goal gives the trophy to Ivory Coast.