Ivory Coast won their third Africa Cup of Nations title by defeating Nigeria

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast –

Ivory Coast celebrates.

Sebastien Haller scored late and the host nation returned to become Africa Cup of Nations champions, beating Nigeria 2-1 in the final on Sunday.

Haller struck from close range in the 81st minute to complete the reaction after Franck Kessier had drawn the hosts on 62.

This is Ivory Coast’s third title after winning the league in 1992 and 2015, both times on penalties.

Haller’s second goal in as many games after recovering from an ankle injury that prevented him from playing in the group stage was a personal triumph for the striker a year after undergoing treatment for testicular cancer.

Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong opened the scoring in the 38th minute with a header. Despite the goal, the Super Eagles were beaten in the first half and were only in danger again after Haller’s goal.

Trost-Ekong also scored when the teams met in the group stage, with Nigeria winning 1-0.

This was just the beginning of the Elephants’ problems as Ivory Coast narrowly missed out on elimination in their next match. He sacked his coach Jean-Louis Gasse but qualified as the best third-place finisher and beat defending champions Senegal and then Mali in the knockout stages, coming from behind in both games before Haller took the team to the final. goal against Congo in the semi-finals.

“It was an outstanding tournament,” said interim coach Emers Fae, the previous assistant who took the reins on his 40th birthday.

Nigeria conceded the same number of goals as in previous matches of the tournament. Coach Jose Peseiro opted for a strong defense to ensure the Super Aguilas secured their fourth title.

In the final, Ivory Coast pressure finally told on Kessier’s header from Adingra’s corner kick, causing the fans packed into the 60,000-capacity Alassane Ouattara Stadium to erupt. Cassie ran to the corner and raised his hands to his forehead, greeting the wave of orange-clad fans.

Haller’s goal led to celebrations that would last throughout the night in Abidjan and the rest of the country.