Nigeria vs Ivory Coast 1-2: CAF AFCON 2023 final – as it happened

That’s it from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Ivory Coast went from zero to hero capped beautifully by Haller’s crowning glory.

We hope you’ve enjoyed all our coverage from both the 2023 AFCON and the 2023 Asian Cup,  which was won by Qatar on Saturday.

The stories, the highs, the surprises and the outright shocks have been a pleasure to bring to you along the way.

We hope you enjoyed all our build-up and text commentaries from the games too.

We’ve already brought you Manchester United’s win against Aston Villa and we will be back with our regular club coverage continuing with Manchester City against Copenhagen in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Please do join us for that one if you can and keep an eye out for all our live coverage.

For now though, congratulations to Ivory Coast and goodbye from me Kevin Hand and the rest of the team.

Nigeria were increasingly looking like the most formidable team at the 2023 AFCON tournament.

As so many other pre-tournament favourites fell by the wayside, the Super Eagles were becoming the team tipped to claim the trophy.

Only one goal all tournament for Osimhen will be part of the inquest – was he given enough supply?

At the other end, it was a five-man defence. Should Nigeria have been more adventurous? We can only speculate now.

Adingra wins not only the Player of the Final award but also the tournament’s Best Young Player award.

The Ivory Coast president was handed the trophy by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who made his way from the Asian Cup final on Saturday, and CAF President Patrice Motsepe.

Now the players are all holding the trophy as one as the party begins.

Gradel is handed the award by Alassane Ouattara and the trophy is lifted.

Another remarkable AFCON 2023 story:

Nigeria give Ivory Coast a guard of honour as they make their way to the stage to receive their medals.

The Super Eagles have lost five of eight AFCON finals now.

Only Ghana have lost as many as Nigeria.

Bafana Bafana defeated DR Congo on Saturday to claim the third spot.

The Nigeria captain wins the Player of the Tournament award.

The 30-year-old scored the opening goal in the final with a header, having previously scored two from the spot earlier in the tournament.

He also helped his side to four shutouts.

Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams steps up to receive the trophy.

The Equatorial Guinea striker steps up to collect the Golden Boot award.

The South Africa captain is named the goalkeeper of the tournament.

The North African nation will host the 2025 AFCON next year and the Confederation of Africa Football flag is passed between dignitaries from the two federations onstage.

Alassane Ouattara joins the celebrations with the players in the stadium that holds his name.

He wears an orange cap along with his orange shirt and is fully among the players ahead of the trophy presentation.

The former Togo and Arsenal striker is the man to bring the trophy from the tunnel to the stage.

He grew into this tournament as a fan favourite and probably not only for his fans but of all – other than his opponents.

All of the upsets, all of the stories, Ivory Coast fall and rise and Haller’s moment of glory cherished by a worldwide audience.

This AFCON had it all.

Has a tournament ever delivered on a level like this?