- Sebastien Haller was the hero for Ivory Coast after he netted the winner as he tapped a cross by the tip of his boot into Nigeria’s goalpost.
- This is Ivory Coast’s third AFCON victory.
Image: CAFONLINE
Ivory Coast, officially the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire men’s national football team on Sunday night won the Africa Cup of Nations after thrashing rivals Nigeria 2-1 at the end of 90 minutes.
William Troost-Ekong had put Nigeria ahead seven minutes before the end of a cagey first half.
Franck Kessie nodded in the equaliser in the 62nd minute when he was left unmarked at the back post from Adingra's corner.
Sebastien Haller was the hero for Ivory Coast after he netted the winner as he tapped a cross by the tip of his boot into Nigeria’s goalpost.
He is the same man who scored the winner for Ivory Coast in their Semi-final match against DR Congo.
A lot of things stood out in the competition that saw Ivory Coast start as underdogs. Because of poor performance, which saw them lose the first two opening matches, Coach Jean-Louis Gasset was dismissed and his assistant Emerse Fae had to step in as Interim coach.
This is Ivory Coast’s third AFCON victory.
Here is what you need to know about Sebastien Haller
Sébastien Romain Teddy Haller was born on June 22, 1994 in Ris-Orangis, France to a French dad and Ivorian mum.
Haller played at every youth level for France-Under-16 to Under-21 but in 2020, he pledged his senior international future to the Ivory Coast.
In 2022, was diagnosed with testicular cancer, which he overcame, returning to professional football in January 2023, after two surgeries and various rounds of chemotherapy. He returned to full training in early January 2023.
The diagnosis came about two weeks after he had signed for Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund, where he is a striker.
His first call-up to the Ivorian national team was in the 2021 AFCON.
Haller began his career in France with Auxerre, and moved on loan to Dutch Eredivisie side Utrecht in 2015, before signing permanently.
He then joined German club Eintracht Frankfurt and later English Premier League side West Ham United signed him.
In 2021, Haller returned to the Netherlands signing with Ajax, where he became the first player to score across seven consecutive UEFA Champions League matches during the 2021–22 season.
He later on joined Borussia Dortmund where he currently plays.