In a heart-wrenching twist of fate at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Nigeria faced a bitter defeat in the AFCON 2023 final against Ivory Coast.
Troost Ekong reflects on the loss
The national team’s stand-in captain, William Troost-Ekong, reflects on the match with a heavy heart, lamenting the missed opportunity. He recalls moments that could have turned the tide in their favor.
The match began with promise for Nigeria as they took the lead, thanks to a powerful header from Troost-Ekong himself. However, the visiting team refused to back down, applying relentless pressure on the Nigerian defense in their quest for an equalizer.
Sebastian Haller’s winner
As the game progressed, Ivory Coast gained momentum, fueled by the passionate support of their home crowd. In a breathtaking turnaround, the hosts clawed their way back into the game, leveling the score and eventually clinching a dramatic late winner through Sebastian Haller.
This victory secured a third AFCON crown for Les Éléphants but left Nigerian fans devastated.
Troost-Ekong acknowledged the pivotal moment when the momentum shifted after Ivory Coast’s equalizer, emphasizing the influential role of the lively home crowd in shaping the outcome of the match.
Troost Ekong’s statement
“We should have pushed on a bit more to try and get the second goal, instead of trying to wait to see what would happen.
