AFCON 2023: Sebastien Haller Scores Winner as Ivory Coast Claims Third Title With Win Over Nigeria

• Sebastien Haller scored Ivory Coast's winner against Nigeria
• The host nation beat the Super Eagles to win the AFCON title
• The Elephants are now three-time winners of the competition

Sebastien Haller was the hero after netting the winner as Ivory Coast came from a goal down to beat Nigeria in the final of the Africa Cup of Nations.

The Super Eagles took the lead before half-time through William Troost-Ekong, but Franck Kessie levelled after the break before Haller finished off the game in style.

The host nation dominated the early exchanges with the Brighton forward coming close after meeting a cross from the left sent on by the lively Simon Adingra.

Seko Fofona nearly broke the deadlock after firing from long-range before Max Gradel's acrobatic kick from a corner kick went inches wide. The hosts kept probing with Adingra forcing a good save from goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali.

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Nigeria took advantage of their first set piece after Ivory Coast failed to deal with a corner kick with defender, Troost-Ekong, rising high to head home seven minutes before half-time.

After the break, Mas-Gradel was only denied by a block from Calvin Bassey on the line before Jean Michel Seri forced Nwabali into parrying his strike into a corner.

Moments later, Kessie pulled level for the host after heading home from an Adingra corner kick.

Ivory Coast nearly took the lead after Haller's bicycle kick went inches wide and he would go on to make it count with nine minutes remaining, poking home a brilliant cross from Adingra.

The hosts held their nerve to win their third Africa Cup of Nations title on home soil.

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Sports Brief also reported that Nigeria legend, Nwankwo Kanu travelled to Abidjan for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final against hosts, Cote d'Ivoire.

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The former Arsenal attacker was at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Ebimpe as the Super Eagles chased a fourth AFCON title against Les Elephants.

Having started the game slowly, the three-time African champions broke the deadlock moments before half-time through defender, Troost-Ekong.