The first chance came the way of the Ivoirians, with Sebastien Haller’s flick coming close before Simon Adingra’s winding run - yet both strikes were off-target (7’). In the heat of battle between the two sides the contest favoured the home side in the first half, who managed to keep the ball and move it into some dangerous positions.

After spending most of the half under pressure, it would be Nigeria that opened the scoring against the run of play. Serge Aurier’s looped clearance from a corner fell to the head of Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong who nodded past Fofana to momentarily silence the home crowd a few minutes before the break (38’).

The Elephants stomped out for the second half with intent, already looking to quickly get themselves back into the game. After several blocked attempts and some good combination play between Seko Fofana and Adingra (again), Max Gradel thought he had drawn a foul for a penalty but it was waved away by referee Dahane Beida.

The pressure was building, and Odilon Kossounou tried his luck with a 30-yard thunderstrike which stung the hands of Stanley Nwabali in Nigeria’s goal. The resulting corner saw Franck Kessié - an ever-present hero for his side - rise highest at the back post and nod the tournament hosts back into the game with a vital equaliser (63’).

Former Auxerre striker Haller makes the breakthrough!

Sebastien Haller’s spectacular overhead kick, set up by Adingra’s header, edged just wide of the upright ten minutes later. The fervent home crowd didn’t have to wait long for the pair to combine once again, this time Adingra’s cross was met by Haller’s right boot and flicked past Nwabali to send the Stade Alassane Ouatarra into raptures (81’).

After a tense final ten minutes plus added time, Ivory Coast saw out their lead to become the first tournament hosts to win the AFCON since Egypt in 2006. From the brink of group stage elimination, to finally winning the tournament - Ivory Coast capped off one of the resurrection stories for the ages!