Al Ahli Welcome AFCON Winner Frank Kessie With Fake Trophy, Celebrate Ivorian in Style: Video

Al Ahli Welcome AFCON Winner Frank Kessie With Fake Trophy, Celebrate Ivorian in Style: Video

Lukman Mumuni
updated at February 24, 2024 at 8:24 AM
In this article:
Franck Kessié logo
F. Kessié
Al-Ahli SFC logoMIvory Coast logo
Ivory Coast logo
Cote DIvoire
Ivory Coast
27
Al-Ahli SFC logo
Al-Ahli SFC
Saudi Arabia
28
Saudi Professional League logo
KSA Professional League
Saudi Arabia
Edouard Mendy logo
E. Mendy
Al-Ahli SFC logoGSenegal logo
  • Franck Kessie has returned to Saudi Arabia after winning AFCON
  • The Ivory Coast star was greeted to a special welcome by Al Ahli
  • Kessie scored in the final against the Super Eagles of Nigeria

Franck Kessie received a befitting welcome at Al Ahli FC following his return from the Africa Cup of Nations as champion with the Ivory Coast.

The Saudi-based midfielder netted the important equaliser as the Elephants came from a goal down to beat the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

The former AC Milan and Barcelona midfielder was important for the host nation, especially in the elimination stages, scoring the goal that eliminated Senegal from the competition.

Franck Kessie, AFCON, Al Ahli, Saudi Arabia
Franck Kessie celebrates with Al Ahli teammates after AFCON success. Credit: @ALAHLI_FC
Source: Twitter

In a video shared on social media, the midfielder was presented with a replica trophy made from a card and a cake designed of him holding the title. His teammates joined in celebrating the moment by giving him a guard of honour.

Former winner and Senegal goalkeeper, Edouard Mendy then gave him the trophy as he danced to the viral AFCON song.

Kessie was named in the Team of the Tournament after an impressive outing with his national team.

His return is a huge boost for Al Ahli as they return to action in the Saudi Pro League.

The 29-year-old joined the Saudi Arabian side in the summer transfer window from Barcelona, as reported by FCBN.

Drogba goes viral after Kessie scores

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Didier Drogba celebrated wildly after Franck Kessie scored at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium as Ivory Coast rallied back to win the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations on home soil.

The former Chelsea star, who was an ambassador for the tournament, was among the football legends that graced the final in Abidjan.

The 45-year-old brought the AFCON trophy to the stage before kick-off and saw his dream come true as his country won the tournament.

Ivory Coast beat Nigeria to win AFCON

Sports Brief also reported that Sebastien Haller scored 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.

Authors
Lukman Mumuni photo
Lukman Mumuni
Lukman Abdul Mumin is a Sports Journalist based in Accra, Ghana. He has been writing for the past five years. Lukman joined Sports Brief as an Editor for the Local Desk in 2022.