For the third time in history, Côte d’Ivoire won the African Cup of Nations. In the final match, the team led by Emerse Fae defeated Nigeria 2-1, and the decisive goal was scored by Sebastien Haller, who fought cancer a year ago.
Tomasz Galiński
February 11, 2024, 11:00 p.m
PAP/EPA / LEGNAN KOULA / In the photo: Sebastien Haller became the hero of his national team in the final match of the African Cup of Nations in 1992, 2015 and 2024. The Ivory Coast national team won the most important match of the year on the African Continent and won the third African Cup of Nations in history.
Until the break, there was no indication of such a scenario, because Nigeria was leading and was the better team. William Troost-Ekong jumped highest in the penalty area after receiving a cross from a corner kick and almost shot it straight into the penalty area.
However, after changing sides, the image of the game changed 180 degrees. WKS clearly went on the offensive and worked hard to win. There were plenty of situations. Franck Kessie equalized after a corner kick, and after twenty minutes there was euphoria in the stands in Abidjan because Sebastien Haller scored a goal.
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Didier Drogba, sitting in the stands, couldn’t control his emotions. He ran, jumped, waved his arms. Everyone experienced this meeting.
However, for Haller, such a match has a special meaning. Moments after his transfer to Borussia Dortmund (in the summer of 2022), he was diagnosed with a malignant testicular tumor. He underwent surgery and underwent chemotherapy. He had to leave football for many months. In January 2023, he returned and now became a national hero.
At the same time, WKS took revenge for the loss to Nigeria in the group stage. Then the rivals turned out to be better (1:0), but in the final the result was completely different.
The road to this final was by no means strewn with roses. They managed to advance from the group with only three points scored. In the 1/8 finals, there was a victory against Senegal after penalties, and in the 1/4 finals, extra time was needed against Mali. The semi-final against DR Congo was “only” 1-0. But in the final, the team showed character, made up for the losses after a poor first half and now can celebrate.
Nigeria – Ivory Coast 1-2 (1-0)
1:0 William Troost-Ekong 38′
1:1 Franck Kessie 62′
1:2 Sebastien Haller 81′
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