Ivory Coast vs Nigeria: Thousands Flock Abidjan to Celebrate AFCON Success

• Ivory Coast fans showed up in impressive numbers for their title victory parade
• The hosts beat Nigeria, with Sebastian Haller scoring the winner in the final
• The Elephants bounced back from near group-stage elimination to win it all

Ivory Coast fans turned up in their numbers to celebrate their team's success at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. The fans flocked to the largest city in the country, Abidjan, turning it into a sea of orange.

The Elephants won their first title since 2015, beating Nigeria in the final held at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium on February 11.

Ivory Coast AFCON 2023 campaign

They came from behind to beat the Super Eagles and complete the most fairytale run ever in the history of the competition. After a disappointing group stage campaign which saw them lose two games, the hosts were on the verge of elimination but managed to sneak through after Morocco beat Zambia in Group F.

Haller goal takes Ivory Coast through to Africa Cup of Nations final

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The result meant that Ivory Coast went through as one of the best third-placed teams at the expense of the Chipolopolo. Head coach Jean Loius-Gasset was relieved of his duties, with Emerse Fae taking over on an interim basis.

They eliminated the defending champions Senegal in the round of 16 via a penalty shoot-out, beat Mali in extra time before dominating DR Congo in the semi-finals.

William Troost-Ekong's goal in the final was cancelled out by a thumping Franck Kessie header after the break. Sebastian Haller then turned in a Simon Adingra to grab the hosts' second and win their third African crown.

AFCON 2023 victory parade

Fans came out in thousands on February 12 to celebrate the win as the players snaked through the congested street in an open-air bus.

What next for Ivory Coast

Ivory Coast's first competition game as the kings of the continent will be a World Cup qualifier match against Gabon in June. They will afterwards play Kenya in Nairobi in the same month. The dates and fixtures for qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco are yet to be announced.

AFCON 2023: Sebastian Haller’s Goal Against DR Congo Set Up Ivory Coast for the Final Against Nigeria

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Asisat Oshoala fires back at Ghanaians

Sports Brief has also reported that Asisat Oshoala fired back at Ghanaians on social media who were trolling Nigeria following their defeat in the AFCON final.

The Nigeria Femeni striker has been vocal on her X account, mocking the Black Stars after their early elimination from AFCON. Ghanaians returned the favour after the Super Eagles threw away a first-half lead and lost the title to Ivory Coast.