And the Alassane-Ouattara Olympic Stadium in Abidjan literally exploded! Ivory Coast won the 34th edition of the African Cup of Nations this Sunday, dominating Nigeria in the final at home (2-1). William Troost-Ekong opened the scoring for the Super Eagles (38th) but Franck Kessié then equalized for the Elephants (62nd), before making the difference through Sébastien Haller (81st) at the very end of the match. Until then, Ivory Coast had not scored a goal in four finals played, or more than 480 minutes. This Sunday she won her third title in the competition after 1992 and 2015.
Last drafted as the best thirds, despite the disaster against Equatorial Guinea (4-0) in the group stage, the Ivorians were awakened by the former assistant Emerse Faé, who replaced Jean-Louis Gasset as coach before the round of 16. His players overthrew Senegal (1-1, 5 tab to 4) and Mali (2-1 ap), scoring each time in the final moments, as if protected by the Gods of football. In the semi-final, they mastered their subject better to beat DR Congo (1-0), with a goal from Sébastien Haller, their striker who arrived injured and who had missed the entire first round.
Close to the precipice on numerous occasions during “its” CAN, Côte d’Ivoire did not seem inhibited by the stakes at the start of this grand final. Quite the contrary. The Elephants put pressure on the Super Eagles from the start, offering a conquering and offensive face. All that was missing was a goal to validate the locals’ highlight, Gradel (21st) and Adingra (34th) coming close to making the difference.
Under pressure, Nigeria remained calm and compact in defense, also reassured by their goalkeeper Nwabali. Like their tournament, the Super Eagles were not necessarily there to put on a show. Efficiency and opportunism as watchwords. On his team’s first corner, captain William Troost-Ekong – already a scorer from the penalty spot against Ivory Coast in the group stage and then in the semi-final against South Africa – showered the Abidjan Olympic stadium with a powerful header (38th). A new scenario then presented itself to the Ivorians. That of chasing the score and the clock after a period of unrealized domination.
And as in the three previous rounds, Emerse Faé’s protégés overturned the table. They brought about their destiny. Without ever panicking, the Elephants went on the attack again to, finally, find the flaw in a defense that had until now been airtight but too exposed. Nwabali and his defender Bassey were unable to accumulate miracles. Already decisive in the semi-finals, Kessié and Haller took on the role of heroes. The midfielder equalized, also from a corner, before the show of the Dortmund striker, heroic scorer with a classy gesture on a cross from the man of the match, Simon Adingra.
The Olympic stadium in Abidjan could roar with pleasure, in front of its players who seemed touched by grace. Favorite at the start of the competition, Ivory Coast finally met the expectations of an entire people. By taking a path that no one could imagine. No matter, the trophy is in the window, at the end of a landmark edition of the African Cup.