When the story of the Africa Cup of Nations 2023 is written, it will be one that shows the flair, grit, flamboyance, excellence and the true nature of African Football.
It will be one of the never say never attitude of so many teams and one in particular – the Cote D’Ivoire National Team, who rode their luck till the very end.
What a tournament it was. A great advertisement of the beautiful game of football and it’s tremendous growth on the African continent.
The 2023 AFCON stands out as a tournament that every African and non – Africans should be proud of. Indeed, Football was the true winner at this edition of Africa’s biggest showpiece.
When the Confederation of African Football introduced the 32-teams format for the AFCON, many football watchers were skeptical about what they should expect.
But all that doubt and speculation was tastefully put to rest with the quality of football that was on display, the superb officiating plus the amazing and vibrant atmosphere. Truly, the bar has been raised for future AFCON tournament.
Heading into the competition as it’s the usual practice, there were favourites and not surprising, the highest ranking teams according to the World Football Governing body, FIFA.
Cup holders, the Teranga Lions of Senegal, Qatar World Cup semi – Finalist, the Atlas Lions of Morocco, the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia, the Pharaohs of Egypt and the desert Foxes of Algeria all top seeded teams were all eliminated early in the tournament.
All eyes were then fixed on Nigeria , the sixth highest ranked team in Africa, who entered the tournament not as favourites now find themselves carrying that tag.
The Nigerian team secured there passage into the Final of AFCON 2023 courtesy of a compact defensive display all through the tournament as against their opponent, the Elephants of Cote D’Ivoire who were not so convincing through out the tournament but scaled through to the final on the bases of some tenacious football after almost being eliminated at the group stage.
The Cote D’Ivoire team that we saw during the initial stages of the tournament was a totally different team that we later saw progressing through the tournament. They gave everything!
This Cote D’Ivoire side sacked their head coach after the group stage and appointed an interim coach to guide them through the remainder of the tournament and what a bargain it proved to be in the end.
Emerse Faé took over a low-spirited Cote D’Ivoire side and turned them into a team that just want to win with the support of their home fans.
It is now history that Emerse Faé an indigenous coach won the AFCON trophy for his country. It’s now back-to-back winnings for African coaches winning the AFCON following the success of Senegal’s Alidu Cisse at the last editon in 2021.
Isn’t it high time African Football Federations look inwards completely for home-grown coaches to guide their teams? That is a story for another day.
And so full time score at the Africa Cup of Nations 2023 Final match, it ended Nigeria 1 Cote D’Ivoire 2.
The Ivorians did it in style and in front of thousands of their fans.
They will not forget in a hurry how their emotions were toyed with throughout the tournament. They join the list of host nations who have gone on to win the AFCON.
I will not end this piece without giving some accolades to the Nigerian team and most especially the Nigerian captain, William Troost-Ekong, who was majestic in all the games the Super Eagles played at the tournament even scoring in the final. Not surprising, he won the Player of the tournament.
As I stated in my last piece, history will be kind to this set of Super Eagles players. They gave their best but on the night, that wasn’t just good enough.
I will not forget to mention a certain player who not too long ago was battling testicular cancer and thankfully was able to beat cancer and only returned to Football in February 2023 to continue doing what he loves most – Sebastién Haller. His miraculous comeback saw him score the winning goal to send Cote D’Ivoire fans into ecstasy. Sebastién Haller – Take a bow!
And so, when the story of AFCON 2023 is told, it will be one of the never say never attitude of so many teams and one team in particular – the Cote D’Ivoire National Team, who rode their luck till the very end.
Thank you @cafonline for a wonderful AFCON 2023. Thank you Cote D’Ivoire for being a fantastic host nation, and Thank you Football for the Joy and Unity that you always and forever bring.
Félicitations to the new Kings of African Football – The Elephants of Cote D’Ivoire.
We will see you soon at the next tournament.
Israel Eferobor (@efelyonofficial) writes from Lagos, Nigeria.