CAF AFCON 2023: Ivory Coast Crowned Champions of Africa at Home!

Ivory Coast have been crowned the champions of Africa for the third time in their history. The Elephants won the 2023 CAF Africa Cup of Nations by scripting a comeback victory against Nigeria in the final.

Playing in front of a packed crowd at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan, Ivory Coast wrote a fairytale ending to their home tournament. After winning just 1 game and losing twice in the group stage, the Elephants scraped to the knockout stage by the skin of their teeth.

In the knockout stage, they beat the defending champions Senegal on penalties before knocking out the likes of Mali and DR Congo to set up a date with Nigeria in the final.

In the final, Nigeria silenced the home crowd in the 38th minute taking a 1-0 lead courtesy of Troost-Ekong and maintaining it until halftime. However, will all the pressure on them, Ivory Coast bounced back in the second half. Goals from Kessie and Haller helped the Elephants script a magical comeback to win their third AFCON title.