Nigeria coach, Jose Peseiro, is saddened by failure to win AFCON, but Sebastien Haller is happy to have helped Cote d’Ivoire achieve the dream.
Brighton & Hove Albion’s 22-year-old Simon Adingra put up a Man-of-the-Match performance against Nigeria, providing both assists for Ivory Coast.
The winger explains how his team endured tough times to win the third Afcon trophy in their history.
“It is the power of the group and the mindset that put us through,” the attacker told the media after the final.
“We had some challenging moments, but we rescued ourselves, although it wasn’t easy.
“The mental fortitude saw us restore our chances and do what we achieved today.”
Haller Deserves It
Arsenal legend Kolo Toure was happy with Sebastien Haller’s exploits, stating it was what he and the country needed.
“I am so happy for Haller, he went through a tough time, but he did unbelievably for the team,” the former defender told the BBC Three.
“He is a humble man, and he works hard for the team. He is just someone who wants to help his teammates.
“I am so happy he scored that [winning] goal – it is fantastic for him and the country.”
Ivory Coast Left With No Choice
Haller missed the start of the biennial competition before being introduced later on.
He scored the winner in a win over DR Congo in the semi-final before sealing AFCON with a strike in the final.
“We dreamed of this moment so many times. We hoped to get to this point,” the Borussia Dortmund striker told the BBC.
“The joyous scenes we see now, what’s happening in the country, they deserve it too.
“I hope it does a lot of good for people.
“Given what has happened over the last few months, it’s great to be here in front of you.
“After the big defeat against Equatorial Guinea, we had no choice. We have come back from a long way.
“There were words, moments, which were not easy for the players, staff, and everybody [but] which were necessary,” he concluded.
Disappointment
Nigeria coach Jose Peseiro couldn’t hide his disappointment after what he felt was a poor outing against the hosts.
“Our team had a fantastic tournament but [on Sunday night] Ivory Coast were better,” he told the media.
“Our team didn’t show our level. That’s the truth.
“It was not the same job as we did in the previous rounds.
“The performance on individual and collective levels was not good enough for us.
“I wanted to win this trophy, my players wanted the trophy as well. Unfortunately, we couldn’t do it.
“I am sad, my players are sad too.
“The performance was not good enough, but I can’t fault them.
“They gave their best in this tournament.”
What The Win Means
Ivory Coast have now won Afcon three times. The first one happened in 1992, then 2015. They finished second in the 2006 and 2012 editions.
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Nigeria have now finished second in Afcon for the fifth time, having done so in 1984, 1988, 1990 and 2000. The Super Eagles have won the competition three times – 1980, 1994 and 2013.
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