The electrifying atmosphere at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan set the stage for Côte d’Ivoire’s triumphant comeback, securing their third African title with a thrilling 2-1 victory over Nigeria.
Here are the facts and figures from the final match of the 2023 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations:
- Host Nation Triumph: Côte d’Ivoire becomes the 12th host country to clinch the AFCON title, marking their third triumph in history after 1992 and 2015.
- Nigeria’s Final Struggles: Nigeria suffers their fifth defeat in an AFCON final, matching Ghana for the most appearances as runners-up.
- Emerse Faé’s Historic Win: Faé becomes the first manager to win the AFCON without starting the tournament as head coach of his team.
- Nigeria’s Offensive Struggle: Nigeria’s attempt only five shots, their lowest tally in an AFCON game since data collection began in 2010.
- Troost-Ekong’s Defensive Scoring: Troost-Ekong becomes the first defender to score three goals in a single AFCON edition since 2010.
- Sébastien Haller’s Impact: Haller joins Troost-Ekong as the first player to score in both the semi-final and final in the same AFCON edition since 2010.
- Kessié’s Final Breakthrough: Kessié scores the first goal for Côte d’Ivoire in an AFCON final, marking a significant milestone in his tournament journey.
- Adingra’s Assists: Adingra becomes the first player to assist twice in an AFCON final in the 21st century, showcasing his playmaking abilities on the grand stage.
- Gradel’s Age Milestone: At 36 years and 73 days, Gradel becomes the oldest outfield player to appear in an AFCON final since 2008, highlighting his longevity and experience in the game.
With these memorable performances and milestones, the 2023 AFCON final will be etched in the annals of African football history, showcasing the drama and excitement that defines the tournament.
