Would you like to receive notifications on latest updates of the following headlines?

Afcon Final: Why Ivory Coast Defeated Super Eagles

POSTED ON February 12, 2024 •   Football      BY Samuel O . Adeniyi

Nigeria's dream of lifting their fourth Africa Cup of Nations trophy turned to dust in the sweltering heat of Abidjan.

A determined Ivory Coast side ultimately outplayed and outmuscled the Super Eagles despite Captain Troost-Ekong's powerful first-half header, leading to a dramatic final score of 2-1.

So, what went wrong? Here are a few key factors that contributed to the Eagles' heartbreak:

Tactical Twists and Troubles:

Coach Peseiro, praised for his tactical shift to a 3-4-3, saw his formation creak under pressure in the latter stages.

Perhaps a return to a more familiar back four might have offered better defensive solidity against a rampant Ivorian attack.

Individual Errors:

From shaky defending to lacklustre midfield performances, individual mistakes cost Nigeria dearly.

Bassey's wobbliness, Sanusi's inconsistency, and Aina's off-night were compounded by Iwobi's anonymity and Chukwueze's ineffective showing.

The Host Nation, Ivory Coast's Destiny:

History held its weight heavy on Nigerian shoulders. The daunting fact that the Super Eagles had never beaten a host nation in an AFCON final seemed to loom large.

Ivory Coast, buoyed by their miraculous journey to the final, rode a wave of destiny, culminating in Haller's triumphant strike.

His journey, overcoming cancer to become a national hero, added an emotional layer to the Ivorian victory.

Questionable Officiating:

While VAR had been lauded throughout the tournament, the final's officiating left a bitter taste.

The referee's nervousness translated into debatable decisions, with most 50-50 calls favouring the home side.

Kessie's elbow on Sanusi, a potential red card offence, went unpunished, further fueling Nigerian frustrations.

The loss certainly stings, but it also serves as a learning experience. The Super Eagles must analyze their shortcomings, both individual and tactical, to bounce back stronger.

The quest for a fourth AFCON title continues, and the team's next attempt will be fueled by the lessons learned and the unwavering spirit of Nigerian football.

READ ALSO
Mertens Announces Retirement from Football, Cites Age and Fatigue
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 24, 2025 0

Belgian football star Dries Mertens has officially announced his retirement from professional footba...

READ ALSO
Kylian Mbappé to rejoin Team after Food Poison Treatment
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 20, 2025 0

France and Real Madrid of Spain forward, Kylian Mbappe, has been discharged from hospital after bein...

READ ALSO
Atlético de Madrid Secures First Win in FIFA Club World Cup with 3-1 Victory
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 20, 2025 0

Spanish football giant, Atlético de Madrid, has secured their first three points of the Feder...

READ ALSO
Messi Scores 50th Goal for Inter Miami in Historic Club World Cup Victory
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 20, 2025 0

Argentine forward, Lionel Messi, scored his 50th goal for the United State football club, Inter Miam...

READ ALSO
Finidi George Leads Rivers United into 2025/26 Season Training Camp
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 19, 2025 0

Rivers United's coach, Finidi George, has motivated his players as the Port Harcourt-based team kick...

READ ALSO
Moses Simon Completes Move to Paris FC for €7 Million
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 19, 2025 0

As reported by French news source Foot Mercato, Paris FC, a newly-promoted team in French Ligue 1, h...

READ ALSO
Osimhen's Impressive Loan Spell Fuels Transfer Speculation
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 19, 2025 0

Nigerian international Victor Osimhen remains at the center of significant transfer rumors, with Ita...

READ ALSO
Samuel Chukwueze Faces Uncertain Future at AC Milan Amid Transfer Speculation
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 18, 2025 0

The winger for the Super Eagles,Samuel Chukwueze,finds himself in a precarious position at AC Milan...

OUR CHANNELS:

Qatar Closes Airspace After Iranian Strike on U.S. Base in Doha
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 24, 2025 0

In a swift move to safeguard lives and property, the government of Qatar has closed its airspace fol...


Tinubu Launches National Mechanised Farming Programme to Tackle Food Insecurity
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 24, 2025 0

In a bid to combat food insecurity and encourage youth participation in farming, President Bola Tinu...


NGX Opens Week Bullish, Gains N279bn Amid Renewed Investor Confidence
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 24, 2025 0

The Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) commenced the trading week on a bullish trajectory, adding N279...


EFCC Urges Students to Shun Internet Fraud, Embrace Positive Online Ventures
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 24, 2025 0

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has called on Ni...


Abia Govt Vows Crackdown After Cult Clash Leaves One Dead
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 24, 2025 0

ABIA, Nigeria - A suspected cultist was shot dead while another was apprehended following a violent...


Tinubu Showoff Chicago Classmate Amid Lingering Certificate Forgery Controversy
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 24, 2025 0

ABUJA, Nigeria - Amid ongoing public debate over his academic credentials, President Bola Tinubu on...


Oil Prices Surge Amid U.S. Airstrikes on Iran's Nuclear Sites
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 24, 2025 0

Oil prices rose on Monday while the dollar gained strength following the U.S. airstrikes on Iran's n...


POS Terminals Drive N223tn in Transactions Amid Shift From ATMs
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 23, 2025 0

Point of Sale (POS) terminals processed transactions worth N223.27 trillion in 2024, marking a drama...


Ned Nwoko’s Second-Term Endorsement Sparks Rift in Delta North APC
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 24, 2025 0

DELTA, Nigeria - The endorsement of Senator Ned Nwoko for a second term as representative of Delta N...


AFN Will Not Block Favour Ofili’s Switch to Turkey – Okowa
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 23, 2025 0

President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Tonobok Okowa, has stated that the federatio...


More Articles

Load more...

Menu