By Ken Afor
Host of the 34th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Ivory Coast has been crowned champions following their 2-1 victory over the Super Eagles of Nigeria on Sunday night.
The Nigerian team was the first to find the back of the net, courtesy of Williams Troost-Ekong’s 38th-minute header.
But the game was leveled in the 62nd minute after the Ivorian midfielder, Frank Kessie, equalized with a header to make it 1-1.
The hosts doubled the lead in the 81st minute after Sebastian Haller’s flick on the ball from a corner, sealing the victory for Ivory Coast.
Evidently, the Nigerian team failed to absorb the pressure when the game was leveled, seeing the hosts taking advantage of the situation.
Sunday’s victory for the Ivorians made it their third AFCON trophy. The West African country first won it in 1992; they were crowned champions for the second time in 2015.
More details to follow..