In a dramatic conclusion to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, host nation Ivory Coast clinched the title with a 2–1 comeback victory over Nigeria in Abidjan, with striker Sébastien Haller sealing the win late in the second half to send the stadium — and country — into jubilation.
The victory caps a remarkable tournament turnaround for the Elephants, who narrowly advanced past the group stage and went on to defy the odds with a series of high-stakes performances. Sunday’s final at the Stade Alassane Ouattara brought together two regional football powerhouses in a tense, high-pressure match marked by disciplined defense and explosive counterattacks.
Nigeria struck first in the first half through a well-executed header, stunning the Ivorian crowd. But the hosts regrouped in the second half, equalizing in the 62nd minute through Franck Kessié, who found himself unmarked at the back post. Haller, recently returned from cancer treatment, then delivered the winning goal — a poetic finish to both his personal and team’s journey.
The win marks Ivory Coast’s third AFCON title and first since 2015.
“I can’t describe the emotion — this is for the people of Côte d’Ivoire,” Haller said post-match, visibly emotional. “We never gave up. This was our dream.”
Ivory Coast’s interim coach Emerse Faé, who stepped in mid-tournament, praised the squad’s resilience: “No one believed in us after the group stage. But the team responded like champions.”
Nigerian coach José Peseiro conceded disappointment but lauded his players: “They gave everything. Today just wasn’t our day.”
AFCON 2023 has delivered one of the most politically and emotionally resonant finals in recent memory. For Ivory Coast, still grappling with past political crises and economic disparities, the victory provides a unifying moment of national pride. The scenes of celebration in Abidjan — and across the diaspora — reflect football’s enduring power as a vehicle for collective identity.
The result also boosts the global visibility of African football stars, many of whom ply their trade in top European leagues but are returning home to redefine continental glory. For Haller, the goal was more than sporting — it was symbolic.
As AFCON turns toward 2025, the stakes — both athletic and political — continue to rise across the continent.
