REDEMPTION SONG
Cancer survivor Haller emerges as hero as Ivory Coast beat Nigeria in fitting end to Cup of Nations
Sebastien Haller scored the winning goal nine minutes from the end as hosts Ivory Coast claimed a third Africa Cup of Nations title with a 2-1 victory over Nigeria in the final at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan on Sunday.
It was a triumph born from adversity as the Ivorians had scraped out of their group following two defeats, including a humiliating 4-0 loss to Equatorial Guinea, before finding their form in the knockout rounds with a never-say-die attitude that led them to the title.
William Troost-ekong’s header gave Nigeria a first-half lead as he rose to meet Samuel Chukwueze’s flick-on from a corner, but Franck Kessie equalised just past the hour-mark after being left unmarked at the back post from a set-piece.
The Ivorians had to come from behind several times in the tournament and did it again when Haller steered Simon Adingra’s cross into the net, much to the delight of his rookie coach Emerse Fae, who had started the tournament as assistant to Frenchman Jean-louis Gasset, who was sacked after the pool stage.
The month-long tournament set new standards and had many thrilling matches, starting with a series of dramatic upsets and culminating in victory for the hosts.
The defeat to tiny Equatorial Guinea in the last group match was the biggest shock in 34 editions of the Cup of Nations, stretching back more than six decades.
It left Ivory Coast on the brink of elimination but they squeezed through as lucky losers into the knockout stages, sacked their coach, altered the line-up and slowly built momentum.
“After that slap, it was difficult but it helped us come back even stronger to take our second chance and show everyone that we were the best,” said Ivorian midfielder Seko Fofana.
The tournament seemed destined for a showpiece finish, having started with shock results that saw several heavyweight contenders tumble out early as unfancied teams proved more than competitive at the 24-team tournament.
The Cape Verde Islands, the smallest of the countries competing, eliminated Ghana early on and came within a penalty shootout of a semi-final place.
Equatorial Guinea’s exploits were also extraordinary and their 34-year-old captain Emilio Nsue, who plays for a third division club in Spain, ended as the tournament’s top scorer.
There were many headline players too but two of the biggest endured disappointing tournaments.
Egypt forward Mohamed Salah limped out with a hamstring injury, Sadio Mane went home after the last 16 as holders Senegal were dumped out and Morocco, who reached the World Cup semi-finals 14 months ago, were eliminated at the same stage, again failing to live up to their status as pre-tournament favourites.
The Cup of Nations has always been a colourful spectacle, and often enlivened by controversy on the field or rioting off it but many times also pilloried for the poor standard of matches. Past tournaments too have seen empty stands for matches not involving the hosts.
But the Ivory Coast, who put back the timing of the tournament six months to avoid the rainy season in west Africa, changed that perception, helped by a high quality of pitches and good attendances at most matches.
“With the image we showed today, Africa must be proud,” said Ivory Coast captain Serge Aurier after Sunday’s final. “We have progressed, whether it be the teams, the stadiums, the living environment.”
It was a triumph born from adversity as the Ivorians had scraped out of their group following two defeats, including a humiliating 4-0 loss to Equatorial Guinea, before finding their form in the knockout rounds