Ivory Coast can call itself the best African football nation for a year. In the final of the Africa Cup, the host country won 1-2 against Nigeria. It is the third victory at this country tournament for the Ivorians.
We normally shouldn’t expect many goals in this final. Ivory Coast has already reached the final stages of the Africa Cup four times before and in all four finals the Ivorians failed to score a single goal, even after extra time. In 1992 and 2015 they came out on top in the penalty shootout, and in 2006 and 2012 they came out on top against Egypt and Zambia respectively. In the group stage, opponent Nigeria already met the host country. Then Ivory Coast lost with the smallest difference after a penalty goal by former Buffalo William Troost-Ekong.
After a nervous opening half hour, history partly repeated itself. Troost-Ekong was not accurate from the penalty spot this time, but was accurate with his head to give the Nigerians the lead with the first attempt on goal.
But Ivory Coast also provided a piece of history after the break. Thanks to Kessié, the host country put an end to the inefficient series in previous finals: 1-1. And that was more than deserved. The home crowd pushed the Ivorians forward and that resulted in 81′ for the 1-2. This time too, ex-Unionist Simon Adingra was the reporter on duty, and an alert Haller finished.
This would remain the score, meaning Ivory Coast is in for a long night of celebration. A new glorious chapter is added to Ivorian football history. (yeh)
