.….Ivory Coast 2-1 Nigeria
ABIDJAN-(MaraviPost)-The tournament, which was delayed from its intended staging in June and July last year because of weather concerns in West Africa, will live long in the memory after a record number of goals, unrelenting upsets, and an apparent capacity for unceasing drama.
Much of that was provided by the hosts, who had appeared on the brink of an early exit after a shock 4-0 defeat by Equatorial Guinea in their final Group A outing.
Gasset departed as a coach and Fae managed to instill renewed belief after inheriting a side that was given a second life as one of the four best-ranked third-placed sides.
Progress had been secured after Morocco – whose national flag Ivory Coast co-captain Max Gradel waved before lifting the trophy – beat Zambia in the final round of group games to stop the southern Africans from stealing their spot.
Elephants supporters had understandably been left reeling after what was a record defeat at home but rallied behind a side that showed incredible mental fortitude to eliminate Senegal and Mali in two epic ties, before a far more routine victory against DR Congo in the semi-finals.
Fae, who was part of the Ivory Coast side that finished runners-up to Egypt in 2006 – a campaign in which he played every minute, has now won Africa’s biggest prize in just his fourth game in senior management.
The resilience of the 40-year-old’s side was underlined as the hosts held their nerve after falling behind against the run of play in front of a sea of orange in the final.
Ivory Coast becomes the 12 host nation to win the Nations Cup title, while Nigeria will be left to rue a fifth defeat in the showpiece game – and their second in Abidjan after losing to Cameroon in 1984.
Source: BBC Sport