Cote d'Ivoire beat Nigeria to AFCON 2023 crown

• Cote d'Ivoire are the new African champions after beating Nigeria 2-1 in the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
• The Elephants came from a goal deficit to claim their third-ever AFCON title.

Nigeria drew first blood in the 38th minute when captain William Troost-Ekong powered home a fine header.

Frank Kessie, however, dragged the hosts back on levelled terms just past the hour-mark after Nigeria failed to deal with a corner kick.

The Ivorians completed their comeback when Sebastien Haller poked home a smart finish from the near post with barely ten minutes left to play.

It was sweet revenge for the Elephants, who had succumbed to a 1-0 loss to the Nigerians during the group stage of the competition.

It would also be recalled that Cote d'Ivoire only qualified for the knockout rounds from Group A as one of the four best losers.

With the defeat, Nigeria have now lost five of the eight AFCON finals they have competed in - thrice to Cameroon and once each to Algeria and Cote d'Ivoire.