The Ivory Coast national team completed its historic comeback to claim the Africa Cup of Nations title in football by defeating Nigeria 2-1 in the final held at the Hassan Wattara Stadium in Abidjan.
Ivory Coast overturned their deficit after a goal by Nigeria’s captain, William Troost Ekong, in the first half, scoring two goals in the second half through Frank Kessie and Sebastien Haller.
With this victory, the Ivory Coast national team secured its third Africa Cup of Nations title in history, following their triumphs in 1992 and 2015.
Initially on the brink of elimination in the group stages after a 4-0 loss to Equatorial Guinea in the third round, the Ivory Coast team had to wait until the final day of the group stage to advance to the knockout rounds as one of the best third-placed teams and ultimately claim the championship.
As for individual honors in the continental competition, they were as follows:
- Best Player of the Tournament: Nigerian William Troost Ekong
- Tournament Top Scorer: Emilio Nsue from Equatorial Guinea with 5 goals in 4 matches
- Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament: South African Ronwen Williams
- Fair Play Award: South Africa national team
- Best Coach: Emery Vey, Ivory Coast coach
- Best Young Player: Ivorian Simon Adingra
The performances of the players and teams throughout the competition showcased the talent and competitiveness in the Africa Cup of Nations, culminating in Ivory Coast’s triumphant third title win.
The tournament showcased a blend of skill, determination, and sportsmanship, with standout performances from both individual players and teams, highlighting the competitive spirit and excitement of the Africa Cup of Nations.
