Winners, losers from thrilling finals of Afcon 2023 unveiled

Host nation Ivory Coast electrifies fans as they clinch the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in a thrilling display of football brilliance

The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations concluded with Ivory Coast emerging victorious, adding an exclamation point to what can be deemed the most captivating edition of the tournament in recent memory. 

The journey unfolded with surprise success stories, presenting plot twists akin to a Hollywood thriller. Ivory Coast, led by Sebastien Haller’s triumphant return from testicular cancer, clinched their third continental title. 

The host nation invested over $1 billion in preparations, constructing new stadiums and renovating existing ones. The tournament witnessed underdogs like Equatorial Guinea and Cape Verde delivering upsets, while Nigeria’s William Troost-Ekong earned the Player of the Tournament accolade. 

The implementation of VAR and officials received praise, contributing to the tournament’s overall success. However, Ghana faced a disastrous exit in the group stage, and North African nations failed to reach the quarterfinals, marking them among the losers.

Mohamed Salah’s dream of securing the title for Egypt remained unfulfilled. The coaching landscape also witnessed casualties, with Chris Hughton becoming the first managerial casualty of the Nations Cup.

Despite the winners and losers, the 2023 finals provided an unforgettable 30 days of football drama, with a record-breaking 119 goals and numerous memorable moments that captivated viewers worldwide.

Source:Newsroom

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