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Nigeria was handed $4m by the Confederation of African Football.

Sebastien Haller was the hero for Ivory Coast again as the Elephants beat Nigeria.

The striker, who had also netted the semi-final winner just 13 months on from his return from testicular cancer flicked in Simon Adingra’s cross with the toe of his boot with nine minutes remaining to complete a second-half comeback and spark wild celebrations in Abidjan.

William Troost-Ekong had put Nigeria ahead seven minutes before the end of a cagey first half when the centre-back rose highest to powerfully head in from nine yards out following a corner.

Franck Kessie nodded in the equaliser in the 62nd minute when he was left unmarked at the back post from Adingra’s corner.

After a remarkable run to the final, which included the departure of coach Jean-Louis Gasset after two defeats in the group stage, the Ivorians clinched a third continental title with a deserved victory.

The West Africans add to their previous Nations Cup wins in 1992 and 2015 and become the first tournament hosts to triumph since Egypt lifted the trophy in 2006.

Interim coach Emerse Fae masterminded Ivory Coast’s passage through the knockout stages, which included dramatic victories over defending champions Senegal and Mali after late equalisers in both games.

Ivory Coast spent more than $1 billion on hosting the tournament, investing a similar amount on improving infrastructure in the country, and Ivorian President Alassane Outtara joined in the post-match celebrations in the stadium bearing his name.

Nigeria, three-time continental champions themselves, had previously been unbeaten at the finals, including a 1-0 win over the Ivorians in the group stage, but the Super Eagles rarely imposed themselves after sitting back for most of the contest.

Ivory Coast dominated most of the first half in front of a fervent crowd at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium, but failed to carve out chances as Nigeria sat deep and soaked up pressure.

The game sparked into life after the drinks break on the half-hour mark, with Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali blocking Adingra’s shot from a narrow angle before Nigeria left-back Zaidu Sanusi won a corner when his effort was blocked by Odilon Kossounou.

Ademola Lookman’s inswinging corner was headed up into the air by Ivory Coast midfielder Jean Michael Seri at the near post, and Troost-Ekong leapt above Serge Aurier to guide the ball back across goal and past the despairing dive of Elephants keeper Yahia Fofana.

The Ivorians came out with renewed purpose after the break, with the lively Adingra at the heart of their best moments on the left flank.

A dangerous low cross from the Brighton winger was tipped away by Nwabali and Calvin Bassey made a crucial block to prevent an equaliser after Max Gradel pounced on the loose ball.

Nwabali then had to dive to his right to scramble a long-range shot from Kossounou wide, and the Elephants equalised from the resulting corner as the Nigeria defence somehow failed to pick up Kessie.

The Super Eagles had a chance to retake the lead when Troost-Ekong headed a free-kick from Ademola Lookman wide, but the decisive moment came from an inspired finish by Haller when the Borussia Dortmund man stuck out his right leg to flick Adingra’s cross past Nwabali.

The tournament, which was delayed from its intended staging in June and July last year because of weather concerns in West Africa, will live long in the memory after a record number of goals, unrelenting upsets and an apparent capacity for unceasing drama.

Much of that was provided by the hosts, who had appeared on the brink of an early exit after a shock 4-0 defeat by the Equatorial Guinea in their final Group A outing.

Gasset departed as coach and Fae managed to instil renewed belief after inheriting a side which were given a second life as one of four best-ranked third-placed sides.

Progress had been secured after Morocco – whose national flag Ivory Coast co-captain Max Gradel waved before lifting the trophy – beat Zambia in the final round of group games to stop the southern Africans stealing their spot.

Elephants supporters had understandably been left reeling after what was a record defeat at home but rallied behind a side which showed incredible mental fortitude to eliminate Senegal and Mali in two epic ties, prior to a far more routine victory against DR Congo in the semi-finals.

Fae, who was part of the Ivory Coast side that finished runners-up to Egypt in 2006 – a campaign in which he played every minute, has now won Africa’s biggest prize in just his fourth game in senior management.

The resilience of the 40-year-old’s side was underlined as the hosts held their nerve after falling behind against the run of play in front of a sea of orange in the final.

Ivory Coast become the 12 host nation to win the Nations Cup title, while Nigeria will be left to rue a fifth defeat in the showpiece game – and their second in Abidjan after losing to Cameroon in 1984.

By Agencies

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The only goal of a cagey contest in Abidjan came in the 65th minute when Haller’s volley bounced down into the ground and up over Leopards goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi.

The Borussia Dortmund striker should have opened the scoring just before the break with an unmarked header, while he also missed a chance to double the lead when sending a lob narrowly wide.

DR Congo did not look like getting a late equaliser, although Meschack Elia sent a volley wide of the left-hand upright and Simon Banza then fired well over in injury time.

Ivory Coast had sacked Jean-Louis Gasset as boss before scraping through the group stage, and had needed late goals against both Senegal and Mali to progress to the last four.

But interim boss Emerse Fae now has a chance to guide the Elephants to a third continental title, adding to triumphs in 1992 and 2015, when they face three-time winners Nigeria in Abidjan on Sunday (20:00 GMT).

The Super Eagles had reached the final earlier on Wednesday after beating South Africa 4-2 on penalties following a dramatic 1-1 draw in Bouake.

The match was the first time the tournament hosts had returned to the Alassane Ouattara Stadium since suffering a chastening 4-0 defeat by Equatorial Guinea which had left the West Africans on the brink of exiting the finals after just three games.

Fae made four changes to the side which grabbed a 90th-minute equaliser and a 122nd-minute winner against Mali, with captain Serge Aurier, centre-back Odilon Kossounou and forward Christian Kouame all suspended.

Meanwhile, the DR Congo squad staged a protest during the anthems with players and coach Sebastien Desabre covering their mouths and pointing to the side of their heads to call for peace in the eastern part of the country.

The Leopards threatened from first-half corners, with Haller forced into a diving header to clear one at the near post before Elephants keeper Yahia Fofana flapped at the next delivery.

Cedric Bakambu headed in the loose ball and wheeled away in celebration but referee Ibrahim Mutaz had already blown his whistle, ruling that Elia had kicked the ball out of Fofana’s hands.

Meanwhile the delivery of Ivorian right-back Wilfried Singo was causing problems at the other end, with Simon Adingra planting a header wide of goal before Haller missed a glorious chance five minutes before half-time when he mis-timed his effort wide from eight yards out.

There was still time before the break for Elephants midfielder Franck Kessie to strike the left-hand post with a fierce strike.

Three minutes after the restart, Theo Bongonda almost put DR Congo ahead but the half-time substitute could only fire into the side-netting after bursting into the area and thrillingly wriggling past two defenders.

Mpasi parried away another powerful shot from Kessi but the Leopards stopper was unfortunate with what proved to be the winner.

Haller dropped back to meet Max-Alain Gradel’s cross from the right with a first-time volley from about 13 yards out, and the bounce of the ball caught out Mpasi as it dipped just under his crossbar.

Sending a flicked header from a corner over the bar, the involved Haller was then narrowly off target with his lobbed attempt from outside the box after a poor defensive header gifted him the chance to wrap up the tie.

Two-time champions themselves, but not since 1974, DR Congo had drawn their first four games at the finals but could not find a way back into the match after coming from behind to beat Guinea in the quarter-finals.

Ivory Coast become the first hosts to reach an Afcon final since Egypt in 2006 – with the Pharaohs also the most recent side to lift the trophy on home soil that year.

After a tournament of underdog success and surprise results, Ivory Coast fans can now look forward to a heavyweight clash with Nigeria following a path through the finals which has already involved several dramatic twists and turns.

It could also cap a remarkable journey for Fae, the 40-year-old former Nantes, Reading and Nice midfielder, who could win Africa’s most prestigious trophy in just his fourth game in charge of his country.

By BBC News

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The Super Eagles, known for their solid defensive strategy and quick transitions into attack, aim to maintain their successful formula against Angola. Peseiro emphasizes the importance of consistency and maintaining their style of play, acknowledging the challenge posed by Angola’s goal-scoring prowess.

While Nigeria stands as the highest-ranked team remaining and a title favorite, midfielder Alex Iwobi highlights the tournament’s unpredictability, urging the team to remain focused on their own performance rather than external expectations. The history between Nigeria and Angola adds an extra layer of significance to the match, with the Super Eagles seeking to avenge past defeats and pay tribute to the late Samuel Okwaraji.

Also Read: Ivory Coast Stuns Defending Champs Senegal in AFCON Shootout Drama

Iwobi recognizes Angola’s achievements in reaching this stage and acknowledges the need for defensive solidarity against a team known for its creativity and goal-scoring ability. Despite the anticipated challenges, he expresses confidence in the team’s ability to withstand pressure and secure a victory.

As Nigeria faces Angola in the quarterfinals, the stage is set for a highly competitive match, with both teams aiming to advance in the tournament. Stay tuned for updates on the final lineup decisions and key moments in this crucial Africa Cup of Nations encounter.

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The Ghana Football Association wishes to announce that Chris Hughton has been relieved of his duties as head coach of the senior National team with immediate effect.https://t.co/MjDiKZZfPV

— Ghana Football Association (@ghanafaofficial) January 23, 2024

In an official statement, the Ghana Football Association announced the immediate removal of Chris Hughton from his role as the head coach, expressing the intention to outline a roadmap for the future direction of the Black Stars in the coming days. The federation also disbanded the entire technical team, including backroom staff members such as George Boateng, Richard Kingston, and Didi Dramani.

Chris Hughton, a 65-year-old former manager of Newcastle United and Brighton & Hove Albion, took charge of the national team in February 2023 after serving as the federation’s technical advisor in the previous year. Despite his efforts, Ghana faced a disappointing Nations Cup campaign, starting with a 2-1 defeat to Cape Verde and a 2-2 draw against Egypt. The crucial final group match against Mozambique ended in a 2-2 draw, leaving Ghana in third place with two points.

Also Read: Nigeria Clinches AFCON Knockout Spot with 1-0 Victory Over Guinea Bissau

Hughton, whose father was Ghanaian, expressed disappointment over the team’s inability to secure victories, citing defensive lapses and an overall failure to meet expectations. The decision to relieve him of his duties came after a series of critical moments, including an incident where an unhappy supporter confronted him in the team hotel after the Cape Verde defeat, and subsequent verbal abuse from Ghanaian supporters and journalists following the draw with Mozambique.

The Ghana Football Association now faces the task of charting a new course for the Black Stars, with plans to communicate the future direction of the team in the coming days.

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FULL-TIME!

An amazing Mozambique comeback as teams share points! #MOZGHA | #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 pic.twitter.com/8k8yMI6qET

— CAF (@CAF_Online) January 22, 2024

Facing the possibility of a consecutive AFCON group stage exit and a six-match winless streak, Ghana approached the match with urgency. Early on, Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo tested Mozambique’s goalkeeper Ivane Urrubal with a powerful shot in the opening minute. The attacking momentum materialized into a penalty when Joseph Paintsil was fouled, and captain J. Ayew calmly converted, securing an early lead.

Also Read: Daka’s Last-Minute Heroics Secure Zambia a Draw Against Tanzania in AFCON Thriller

The second half saw André Ayew surpassing Rigobert Song as the all-time AFCON appearance leader, signaling Ghana’s determination. Despite Mozambique’s attempts to rally, J. Ayew extended Ghana’s lead with another penalty after Reinildo handled Mohammed Kudus’ shot. However, Mozambique responded with a penalty of their own, converting what they initially thought was a consolation goal.

In a surprising turn of events, Ghana’s fate was sealed when Reinildo scored a header in stoppage time, equalizing the match. With Egypt securing a dramatic point in the group’s other fixture, Ghana faces the likelihood of exiting the tournament in the group stage for the second consecutive time, with only two points to their name.

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Tanzania faced an uphill battle, especially after Novatus Miroshi received a second caution, reducing them to 10 players. The match showcased Morocco’s dominance, mirroring Senegal’s earlier three-goal triumph over the Gambia.

Saiss showcased quick reflexes in the 80th minute, securing his third goal in 80 caps. Ounahi then displayed skillful play, combining with Amine Adli for Morocco’s second. En-Nesyri initially had a goal ruled offside but, after VAR review, it was reinstated, sealing Morocco’s victory.

Also Read: Salah’s Last-Minute Heroics Secure Egypt’s Draw Against Mozambique in AFCON Thriller

Morocco’s coach, Walid Regragui, commended the team’s composure in challenging conditions, emphasizing their patience and solid performance. The victory mirrored Morocco’s recent achievements, including reaching the World Cup semifinals in Qatar and defeating Brazil in a friendly.

Despite the heat and humidity, Morocco’s regular lineup, instrumental in their historic World Cup run in 2022, delivered a commendable performance. On the other hand, Tanzania featured two non-league players from England, including Tarryn Allarakhia from Wealdstone, who was substituted after 38 minutes due to exhaustion.

In the other Group F match, the Democratic Republic of Congo faced off against Zambia in San Pedro later on Wednesday. The results highlight Morocco and Senegal as the top contenders in the tournament, setting the stage for an exciting competition in the Ivory Coast.

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FULL-TIME!

Both teams share the points as Egypt's late goal cancels out Mozambique's great comeback. #EGYMOZ | #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 pic.twitter.com/aWLBDUcPdR

— CAF (@CAF_Online) January 14, 2024

The nail-biting encounter showcased Egypt’s dominance, but Mozambique’s resilience threatened to create a historic upset in the Africa Cup of Nations. Let’s delve into the key moments of the match and analyze how Salah’s late heroics spared Egypt from an unexpected setback.

Egypt’s Fast Start and Mozambique’s Comeback

Egypt made a blistering start in Abidjan with Mostafa Mohamed finding the net within two minutes, displaying their early dominance. However, Mozambique capitalized on spurned opportunities by scoring twice in the second half through Witi and substitute Clesio Bauque. The quick turnaround threatened to deny Egypt a victory, putting immense pressure on the Pharaohs.

Also Read: AFCON 2023 Kicks Off: Exciting Fixtures and Group Stage Highlights

Salah’s 97th-Minute Penalty

As the match approached its conclusion, Mozambique’s dream of a historic Cup of Nations win seemed within reach. However, Egypt was awarded a crucial penalty after a Video Assistant Referee check, following a foul by Mozambique defender Domingos Macandza in the box. Mohamed Salah calmly converted the spot-kick, securing a dramatic draw and preventing Mozambique from achieving a historic victory.

Mozambique’s Perspective

Despite the heartbreaking draw, Mozambique midfielder Guima expressed resilience, stating that the experience would only make the team stronger. Mozambique will face Cape Verde in their next fixture, eager to bounce back from the missed opportunity against Egypt.

Egypt’s Next Steps

With the draw behind them, Egypt now shifts focus to their upcoming pool fixture against Ghana. The Pharaohs, led by Salah, will aim to secure a decisive victory and assert their dominance in the Africa Cup of Nations.

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Overview of the Tournament

This edition of AFCON features 24 teams strategically divided into six groups, adding an extra layer of excitement as they battle for supremacy. The top two teams from each group, along with the four best-ranked third-placed teams, will advance to the knockout stage, ensuring intense competition and unforgettable moments.

For football enthusiasts eager to follow their favorite teams, here is the complete list of group stage fixtures for the tournament:

Group Stage Fixtures 

Saturday, January 13

Group A: Ivory Coast vs Guinea-Bissau (Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan.

Sunday, January 14

Group A: Nigeria vs Equatorial Guinea (Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan.

Group B: Egypt vs Mozambique (Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium, Abidjan.

Group B: Ghana vs Cape Verde (Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium, Abidjan.

Monday, January 15

Group C: Senegal vs The Gambia (Charles Konan Banny Stadium, Yamoussoukro.

Group C: Cameroon vs Guinea (Charles Konan Banny Stadium, Yamoussoukro.

Group D: Algeria vs Angola (Stade de la Paix, Bouake.

Tuesday, January 16

Group D: Burkina Faso vs Mauritania (Stade de la Paix, Bouake.

Group E: Tunisia vs Namibia (Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium, Korhogo.

Group E: Mali vs South Africa (Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium, Korhogo.

Wednesday, January 17

Group F: Morocco vs Tanzania (Laurent Pokou Stadium, San Pedro.

Group F: DR Congo vs Zambia (Laurent Pokou Stadium, San Pedro.

Thursday, January 18

Group A: Equatorial Guinea vs Guinea-Bissau (Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan.

Group A: Ivory Coast vs Nigeria (Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan.

Group B: Egypt vs Ghana (Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium, Abidjan.

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The announcement was made during the official unveiling of the agreement, with Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba expressing the significance of ensuring broader access to the tournament.

Speaking at the event, CS Namwamba highlighted that the initiative would allow those without access to pay TV to follow the AFCON proceedings from Ivory Coast through a broadcaster with the widest reach.

He expressed gratitude to President Ruto for supporting such initiatives, emphasizing that the move aligns with the principles of inclusivity and the “hustler spirit.”

“This is a very special announcement that the football exhibition will be broadcast live to the Kenyan audience free of charge. To us, this is bottom-up; this is the hustler spirit,” stated the CS.

The partnership is part of a comprehensive strategy to position KBC as the premier sports broadcaster in the country.

This includes a recent deal where the public broadcaster exclusively secured the rights to broadcast free-to-air matches of the Football Kenya Federation Premier League.

Also Read: SuperSport Secures Exclusive Rights to Broadcast AFCON 2023 Live

Broadcasting and Telecommunications Principal Secretary Professor Edward Kisiangani shared that the plan is a concerted effort by the Kenya Kwanza government to foster talent development in the country.

Sports counterpart Engineer Peter Tum echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that the arrangement reflects the aspirations of the president.

KBC’s Acting Managing Director, Paul Macharia, assured the audience that KBC is committed to providing the best experience for viewers and pledged to deliver high-quality broadcasts.

“To our audience, we thank you for trusting us as ‘Your True Sports Partner’; we shall deliver quality broadcasts of the best African Football products to you,” Macharia affirmed.

As part of the contract signed with rights holders New World TV (NWTV), the AFCON matches will be broadcast on KBC Channel 1 and Y254. The corporation’s online platforms will also simulcast the matches, and all 14 KBC radio stations, including Radio Taifa, KBC English Service, Pwani FM, and others, will air the live coverage of the tournament.

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