Nigeria appeared on course to replicate their 1-0 win against Ivory Coast at Ebimpe Olympic Stadium from the group phase, especially after captain William Troost-Ekong, who had previously scored the decisive penalty in their initial encounter, headed in the first goal towards the end of the first half.
However, the game took a turn when Franck Kessie leveled the score shortly after the 60th minute, and Haller converted Simon Adingra's cross in the 81st minute, igniting ecstatic celebrations among the Ivorian fans clad in orange.
With this victory, Ivory Coast secured the title for this year, adding to their victories in 1992 and 2015, and matching Nigeria's record of three African Cup of Nations wins.
Surpassing Nigeria in this match meant missing the chance to equal Ghana's four titles, with only Egypt, Cameroon, and Ghana having won the championship more times. Nigeria, led by the current African player of the year, Osimhen, had been the standout team of the tournament for the past month.
However, the determined spirit of Ivory Coast proved insurmountable, marking them as the first host nation to clinch the AFCON title since 2006.
Didier Drogba, who led the Elephants in the final 18 years ago only to lose to Egypt in Cairo, was present in the stands this time to witness his nation achieve a remarkable triumph.
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