Ivory Coast won “its” Africa Cup of Nations after beating Nigeria 2-1 in the final at the Alasane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan, Ivory Coast on Sunday.
In the 38th minute, the Super Eagles started scoring through captain William Troost-Ekong. The Ivorian Elephants equalized through Simon Adingra's cross through Frank Kessie. The former Unionist provided the second assist for Sebastien Haller who scored the winning goal in the 81st minute.
Union player Jean-Thierry Lazare Amani entered the Ivorian line-up in extra time (90th + 2). For the Nigerian side, Alhassan Yussuf (Antwerp) entered the game in the 79th minute while Raphael Onyedika (Club Bruges) was on the bench.
It was Ivory Coast's third win at the Africa Cup of Nations after 1992 and 2015. The Elephants reached the finals in 2006 and 2012 and finished 4th in 1965, 1968, 1986 and 1994 and 19070 and 2007.
Nigeria has won the CAN three times in 1980, 1994 and 2013. This is the 5th final that the Super Eagles have lost after 1984, 1988, 1990 and 2000.
On Saturday, South Africa, coached by Hugo Bruce, beat DR Congo on penalties in the minor final to finish 3rd.
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