We have Revenge to Take on Nigeria, Says Sebastien Haller

A new country will be crowned as champions of Africa on Sunday as Nigeria will be taking on tournament host, Ivory Coast in the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan.

Nigeria booked their place in the final of the AFCON after a hard-fought win on penalties against South Africa’s Bafana Bafana, while former West Ham striker Sébastien Haller was the hero for the Elephants with the match-winning goal in a 1-0 victory against Democratic Republic of Congo.

In one of their best games of the tournament,Nigeria defeated Ivory Coast 1-0 in the group stage with William Troost-Ekong converting a second half spot kick won by Victor Osimhen.

Sébastien Haller, who was not in the gameday squad against the Super Eagles due to ankle injury he was recovering from, is extra keen to get revenge on the three-time African champions.

“We are playing the final against Nigeria. It is a great nation. It is heavy. They beat us in the group stage,” Haller said to beIN SPORTS.

“But we are already motivated to go and lift the trophy on Sunday in this stadium in front of the Ivorian people. We have revenge to take on Nigeria.”

Ivory Coast have not been convincing in the tournament and should have been knocked out in the group stage but had a second chance after qualifying for the knockout rounds as the fourth-ranked third-placed team.