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The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) concluded with the final affair between the Elephants of Ivory Coast and the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
Earlier in the competition, both sides faced off earlier in the group stage with the game ending in favour of the Super Eagles via a William Troost-Ekong penalty. The Elephants of Ivory Coast were on the verge of elimination at the time.
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The Ivorians having a mixed tournament thus far became champions on the back of a best loser finish in the group stages.
Manager Jean Louis Gasset seeing the exit doors, Emerse Faè came in to stabilize the team and led them across a knockout period featuring the Terenga Lions of Senegal, Mali and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The final affair saw Nigeria take the lead via skipper William Troost-Ekong in the 38th minute. An inspired second half display saw Simon Adingra provide for Franck Kessie and Sebastien Haller in the 81st minute to round off the cone back.
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In a tournament that many Nigerians had hoped to cart home the title, Ivory Coast retained the title on home soil in a very surreal tournament campaign.
In terms of awards, Equatorial Guinea’s Emilio Nsue carted away the Golden Boot award, South Africa’s Ronwen Williams wrapped up the Best Goalkeeper award with his clean sheet over DR Congo in the third place fixture taking him to five for the tournament.
The most valuable player award went to Nigeria’s William Troost-Ekong with the Bafana Bafana of South Africa taking the tournament’s fair play award.
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