Third AFCON title for Ivory Coast
Ivory Coast have won the Africa Cup of Nations for the third time, drawing them level with Nigeria’s three titles.
Ivory Coast’s previous triumphs came in 1992 and 2015.
This is the first time the hosts have won this tournament since Egypt did so in 2006.
IVORY COAST WIN 2023 AFCON
(Photo: Getty Images)
That’s it! The referee blows for full time and Ivory Coast have completed a miraculous story to win this tournament after nearly not qualifying for the knockout stage!
90+8′ Nigeria 1-2 Ivory Coast
We’ve played the minimum of seven additional minutes now. We’re into added time on stoppage time..
90+4′ Nigeria 1-2 Ivory Coast
Ivory Coast win the ball deep in their own territory and spring a counter-attack.
Nigeria manage to break it up but Ivory Coast still win a throw-in, which will suit them just fine as they look to wind down the clock.
90′ Nigeria 1-2 Ivory Coast
Ivory Coast also make a double switch, replacing Sébastien Haller and Seko Fofana with Ibrahim Sangaré and Jean-Philippe Krasso.
What a moment for Haller
82′ Nigeria 1-2 Ivory Coast
That is the moment Haller would have been dreaming about 18 months ago when he was in hospital undergoing treatment for a testicular tumour. He missed the first three games at this tournament through an ankle injury too.
Now he has scored in the semi-final and given his team the lead in the final. An incredible and inspirational comeback story!
Nigeria need to wake up
72′ Nigeria 1-1 Ivory Coast
Bassey hits the ball out of play to the frustration of Osimhen who tells all of his team-mates to calm down.
Keep an eye out on Lookman and Simon who have just swapped wings.
Ivory Coast fans in party mode
68′ Nigeria 1-1 Ivory Coast
There has been a drum banging through this game from Ivory Coast fans but the tempo has increased after that goal. This stadium is in full party mode apart from the tiny section of Nigeria fans.
Both goals in this game have come from corners from the exact same part of the pitch.
GOAL! Ivory Coast equalise!
62′ Nigeria 1-1 Ivory Coast
Kessie levels the match with a header at the back post on a corner!
Ivory Coast need to take one of these chances
(Photo: Getty Images)
61′ Nigeria 1-0 Ivory Coast
Seko Fofana has his head in his hands after that chance for Kessie which was cleverly created by Adingra.
Just like in the first half, Ivory Coast have started strongly after the break.
Second half is underway!
46′ Nigeria 1-0 Ivory Coast
Nigeria are 45 minutes away from winning their fourth AFCON title!
Can Ivory Coast find a way to fight back once more?
HT: Nigeria 1-0 Ivory Coast
Ivory Coast dominated most of the first half but it’s Nigeria who take a 1-0 lead into the half-time break, thanks to Troost-Ekong’s towering header.
45+4′ Nigeria 1-0 Ivory Coast
Kessie swings an arm out and sends Sanusi flying. The commentators on the world feed ponder whether that deserves a VAR review, but none is forthcoming.
Osimhen’s cheered up!
45+2′ Nigeria 1-0 Ivory Coast
A wide, toothy grin from Victor Osimhen, though wry and humourless.
He shrugs off Odilon Kossounou and looks set for a two-on-one… but the ref blows for a soft foul.
Osimhen shakes his head.
First-half stoppage time
45+1′ Nigeria 1-0 Ivory Coast
Four minutes are added on to the end of the opening half.
45′ Nigeria 1-0 Ivory Coast
Osimhen has gone down and is now receiving treatment from Nigeria’s trainers. At first, he was off the pitch, but he moved back on, likely not wanting his team-mates to have to play a man down for any longer than necessary.
41′ Nigeria 1-0 Ivory Coast
A goal completely against the run of play from Nigeria’s captain. After a few moments of silence, Ivory Coast’s fans have started clapping and cheering their team on once more.
39′ Nigeria 1-0 Ivory Coast
Troost-Eking rises highest, beating Aurier with a powerful leap, and fires a bullet header past Fofana. The goalkeeper had little chance to save that.
That’s the Nigerian captain’s third goal of the tournament, and second against Ivory Coast!
GOAL! Nigeria take the lead!
36′ Nigeria 1-0 Ivory Coast
Completely against the run of play!
Nigeria’s Stanley Nwabali: AFCON’s breakout star
36′ Nigeria 0-0 Ivory Coast
After that fine save on Adingra’s chance, now is a good time to point you in the direction of Carl Anka’s brilliant piece on the Nigeria goalkeeper, the ‘planned surprise package’.
34′ Nigeria 0-0 Ivory Coast
The Ivorians spring a lovely team move that releases Adingra on the left wing. He bursts towards the goal before unleashing his shot, but Nwabali comes up with a big save!
Peseiro booked
(Photo: Getty Images)
28′ Nigeria 0-0 Ivory Coast
Nigeria manager José Peseiro finds himself in the referee’s book before any player does, penalised for his vehement dissent given to the fourth official.
He erupted with fury on the sidelines after a free-kick was given against Victor Osimhen. Admittedly, it wasn’t a foul, just a good jump. But you can’t scream at the officials like that.
An early flashpoint
(Photo: Getty Images)
20′ Nigeria 0-0 Ivory Coast
The referee is suddenly forced to blow his whistle repeatedly to calm down a potential flashpoint between Ademola Lookman and his marker, who briefly threaten to square up.
That came after Aurier flew in with a robust sliding challenge.
Just about fair enough, I think. Lookman scowls in frustration.
12′ Nigeria 0-0 Ivory Coast
That’s the danger with those two powerful Ivory Coast No 8s.
With Jean Michael Seri sitting, Franck Kessie and Seko Fofana have the license to roam and drive forwards from midfield.
Calvin Bassey drags him down. Not quite enough in it to give a booking, though – good call from the ref.
Welcome to Truth Live News football commentary for the Final Show of the African Cup of Nations match between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Elephants of Ivory Coast — the host country in Abidjan.
Here is the line-up!
Super Eagles starting XI
Stanley Nwabali
Semi Ajayi
William Troost-Ekong (c)
Calvin Bassey
Zaidu Sanusi
Ola Aina
Alex Iwobi
Frank Onyeka
Adesina Lookman
Samuel Chukwueze
Victor Osimhen
Ivory Coast Starting XI
Simon Adingra
Sébastien Haller
Max Gradel
Seko Fofana
Jean Michaël Seri
Franck Kessie
Ghislain Konan
Evan Ndicka
Odilon Kossounou
Serge Aurier
Yahia Fofana
The first half is underway!