AFCON 2023: An “invincible hand” keeps it HOME

By Ngome Michael

“Dieu est Ivoirien”, a popular adage used in Cote D’Ivoire which translates God is ivorian, now makes sense after Cote D’Ivoire resurrected from a messy group stage to clinch their third AFCON trophy after 1992 and 2015.

The Elephants beat Nigeria 2-1 to win their third African Cup of Nations title, becoming just the first host Nation to claim the crown since 2006.

Second half goals from Frank Kessie and Sébastien Haller turned arround a poor start to a come back triumph.

Both West African Nations drew down curtains of the 34th Cup of Nations edition under the lights at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium, a venue where they clashed on Day-2 of the tournament.

18 years since a host nation reached the competition’s final, Interim coach Emerse Fae handed full starts to Sébastien Haller and Simon Adingra who came into AFCON injured, while Serge Aurier, Odilon Kossounou returned from suspensions.

José Peseiro had just Chukwueze in for Moses Simon and Zaidu Sanusi replaced Osayi-Samuel with Frank Oyeka keeping his place.

The hosts were off on the front charging offenses on a Super Eagles watertight defense that had conceded only two goals from play but, as expected, Nigeria soaked the pressure despite shaky moments featuring Adingra’s served deadly through ball into the opponent’s backline, which Haller failed to connect with.

Frank Kessie charged on another brilliant move in the midfield area setting up Adingra down wide but the Brighton man from range fired into the side netting.

Things grew feisty between Victor Osimhen and Evans N’dicka following a collision as the Ivorian adjudged guilty. It extended off the pitch moments later with José Peseiro receiving a yellow due to protests.

Nigeria pushed to balance the equation rushing into Ivorian defense with Ademola Lookman pairing alongside Chukwueze and Osimhen. Troost Ekong rose second best after Lookman’s conerkick deflected at the near post to power beyond Yahia Fofana for 1-0.

Veteran Max Gradel from a commotion inside the Nigerian box found a loose ball with his well placed shot skilfully blocked by Calvin Bassey.

Odilon Kossounou tested his luck from outside the area forcing a save from Nwabali, resulting to a set-piece. An unmarked Frank Kessie from another header drew the equalizer.

Wilfred Singo and Oumar Diakité were introduced by Faé in places of Aurier and Gradel. Same momentum was kept when Diakité’s first contribution met Haller; on a quiet night, and that didn’t change as the Dortmund forward could not connect well with his overhead attempt.

With another come back on the cards, another attacking sub was made by the Super Eagles introducing Iheanacho and Alhassan. At the 82nd minute, Simon Adingra on a purple patch squared the ball into Haller who unorthodoxly smashed into the the net with the under of his boot.

Kelechi Iheanacho and Simon Moses both took turns in breaking for an equalizer but Evan N’Dicka and Kossounou were ever present to sheild. Cote D’Ivoire held on for a historic home win and sweet revenge against the super Eagles.