Last night, the world witnessed the final game of what many have described as the best-ever Africa Cup of Nations.
The match between Ivory Coast and Nigeria delivered a spectacle, a proper advertisement for African football, as both teams gave their all, with three goals scored in 90 minutes, which is more than the last two AFCON finals had produced.
William Troost-Ekong rose high to head Nigeria into the lead as the Super Eagles went into the halftime break with a 1-0 advantage.
Their joy, however, didn’t last until the end of the game as Ivory Coast produced yet another comeback.
Midfielder Franck Kessié led the comeback with a far post header from a corner after being left unmarked.
Nine minutes to conclude the game, Sébastien Haller produced a typical poacher’s finish, as he poked home the winner to etch his name into the annals of African football history.
The talent himself. 🌟
Of course, it’s Simon Adingra who gave his team the #AssistOfTheDay! 🏅#TotalEnergiesAFCON2023Final pic.twitter.com/RAs3subGlC
— CAF (@CAF_Online) February 12, 2024
While Ivorians celebrate their third AFCON triumph, Nigerians have to deal with losing another final.
The Super Eagles would have equalled Ghana as the third most successful team on the continent with four trophies, but with the defeat, Ivory Coast have rather equalled Nigeria on three titles.
The Elephants weren't dreaming yesterday! 🐘
They really are the #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 champions. 🏆 pic.twitter.com/C2kuwCwjzc
— CAF (@CAF_Online) February 12, 2024
The defeat was absolutely devastating for Nigeria’s coach Jose Peseiro, who had received massive support from his friend and legendary coach Jose Mourinho.
Mourinho declared his support for Nigeria because he wanted his ‘best friend’ Peseiro to make history by becoming the first Portuguese to win the AFCON.
“My best friend in football is in the final. The Nigerian coach is my best friend; he grew up with me,” Mourinho said to FIVE UK.
“We studied together. We went to the university at the same time. We spent five years together, every day. We left at the same time. He is probably my biggest friend in football. Jose, my big friend. It will be a huge opportunity for him to make history. Never has a Portuguese coach won the AFCON.”
🤔 Who's Jose Mourinho backing in the AFCON final? ⚽️🏆
🗣️⭐️ The @Footballcomglob ambassador has a VERY special message for one of the coaches.
CC: @NGSuperEagles
🚨 FULL INTERVIEW with José dropping next week on @FIVEUK
🔗: https://t.co/UNPhpMrCcT pic.twitter.com/eQNWsEdHo0
— FIVE (@FIVEUK) February 11, 2024
Nigeria had an incredible run to the finals and were the bookmakers’ favourite, so had they won it would have been deserved. But they lost, and in the end, Mourinho didn’t get his wish.