Ivory Coast have won the 2024 AFCON title, defeating Nigeria 2-1 in the finals. They last lifted the trophy in 2015, and have now been able to win it once more, this time on home soil with Sebastian Haller emerging as the hero.
The Borussia Dortmund striker scored the winning goal for his side, completing a remarkable comeback story after being diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2022. Brighton’s young star Simon Adingra had an important role to play, assisting both of Ivory Coast’s second half goals to turn things around in the finals and deny Nigeria the win.
Ivory Coast win AFCON 2024 after dramatic comeback
After sacking their coach and being on the brink of elimination in the group stage, the hosts performed a miraculous comeback to go on and win the tournament. They were the better team in the first half, but a goal from William Troost-Ekong gave Nigeria the lead.
Things changed after the break though, with Adingra finding Franck Kessie after a corner. He then found Haller, who slotted the ball into the back of the net from close range with ten minutes remaining to seal the win.
With only one out of five shots on target throughout the game, Nigeria’s attack was not up to the mark considering the firepower they had in their squad. The Ivory Coast defence of Evan Ndicka and Odilon Kossounou performed brilliantly to keep Victor Osimhen out of the game and stunt their attacking chances.
To make things even more unbelievable, Emerse Fae won the best coach award of the tournament, being given the job only 18 days ago and then guiding the team to the trophy shortly after. He had never managed a senior game before being given the opportunity.
