AFCON 2023: Victor Boniface Reacts Hilariously As Super Eagles Lose Final to Ivory Coast

• Victor Boniface has taken a jibe at the Africa Cup of Nations trophy
• The Super Eagles lost the AFCON final 2-1 to the hosts, Ivory Coast
• Nigeria were on a path to winning the competition for a fourth time

Super Eagles forward, Victor Boniface, has expressed his frustration following Nigeria’s loss to Ivory Coast in the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations by taking a jab at the trophy.

Nigeria were on the verge of being crowned African champions for the fourth time after defender, William Troost-Ekong, gave the Super Eagles a first-half lead with a header.

Two second-half goals from Franck Kessie and Sebastian Haller turned the game on its head as the Elephants fought back gallantly to earn a 2-1 victory to win their third AFCON title.

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Boniface, who was initially named in Nigeria’s squad but withdrawn due to injury days before the tournament, took to X (formerly Twitter) to take a jibe at the appearance of the trophy.

The current version of the AFCON trophy was first awarded in 2002 and is a gold-plated cup designed and made in Italy. It was first awarded to Cameroon when they won the 2002 edition of the tournament.

Nigeria’s vice-president hails Super Eagles

Meanwhile, Kashim Shettima has praised Super Eagles players despite their 2-1 defeat to hosts, Ivory Coast, in the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, Complete Sports reports.

The vice president noted the entire country is proud of the team's achievement as their run to the finals has brought unity to Nigerians. He encouraged the players after the final defeat.

Shettima noted that the country would compensate the Super Eagles team for their sacrifice at AFCON 2023 and said they would come back stronger even after the loss to Ivory Coast.

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Haller seals Nigeria’s AFCON fate

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Sebastien Haller was the hero, scoring the winning goal as Ivory Coast battled from a goal down to defeat Nigeria in the AFCON final.

The Super Eagles took the lead before half-time through Troost-Ekong, but Kessie equalised for the host nation after the break before Haller sealed the game in style.

Ivory Coast dominated the early exchanges, with the Borussia Dortmund forward coming close after meeting a cross from the left sent by the energetic Simon Adingra.