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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<ul><li>Ivory Coast were 1-0 down at the break</li><li>Kessie headed in equaliser</li><li>Drogba celebrates wildly in stands</li></ul><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

VIDEO: Didier Drogba goes WILD as he celebrates Franck Kessie equaliser for Ivory Coast against Nigeria in AFCON final - just three weeks after Chelsea legend's 'real problem' criticism of his country

Africa Cup of Nations Qualification

Benin

Nigeria

Zambia

Ivory Coast

The Ivory Coast went in at half-time 1-0 down, as Nigeria captain <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/video-william-paul-troost-ekong-serge-aurier-nigeria-captain-afcon-final/blt9081a579fe0a8bb8" target="_blank">William Troost-Ekong opened the scoring</a> with a powerful header in the 38th minute against the run of play. The Elephants kept pushing in the second half, though, and eventually got their equaliser just after the hour mark when AC Milan star Kessie nodded home at the back post. Drogba couldn't contain his joy in the stands as he ran up the stairs waving his arms in the air and cheering with the rest of the Ivory Coast faithful.

WHAT HAPPENED?

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Franck Kessié levels for the hosts! ⚖️ What a game we have here! 🔥 <a href="https://t.co/D72x4Cf1yx">pic.twitter.com/D72x4Cf1yx</a>— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/SkyFootball/status/1756791853913940078?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 11, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Ivory Coast answers back through Franck Kessie! Game on 🍿 🎥 <a href="https://twitter.com/beINSPORTSUSA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@beINSPORTSUSA</a> <a href="https://t.co/olSoSTUqfr">pic.twitter.com/olSoSTUqfr</a>— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) <a href="https://twitter.com/CBSSportsGolazo/status/1756792968898387981?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 11, 2024</a></blockquote>
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WATCH THE CLIP

The Ivory Coast completed a remarkable turnaround thanks to a clever poked finish from Sebastien Haller in the 81st minute. Very few would have predicted such a deep run in the tournament for the Elephants after their humiliating 4-0 group stage defeat to Equatorial Guinea three weeks ago, after which <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/chelsea-legend-didier-drogba-rages-ivory-coast-defeat-equatorial-guinea-afcon-hosts-facing-nightmare-group-stage-exit/blt406d8401dbd71ca6#cs49dff533513d0c68" target="_blank">Drogba was scathing in his criticism</a> of the host nation. "We will have to get back to work, not only asking the right questions but also making the right decisions," the former Chelsea striker said to NCI. "For football and only football because today a nation like Ivory Coast cannot organise such a competition and, of course, get eliminated so early on. But in this manner, there is a real problem."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Despite losing their final group game, and sacking head coach Jean-Louis Gasset, the Ivory Coast qualified for the round of 16 as one of the four best-third placed teams, and significantly upped their game with Emerse Fae stepping in as interim boss. The Elephants beat Senegal, Mali and DR Congo to reach the final and can <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/sebastien-haller-borussia-dortmund-striker-scores-winner-afcon-final-nigeria-year-after-cancer-scare-victor-osimhen-miserable-night/bltc51f9d5d2a367bdd" target="_blank">now celebrate their third AFCON title</a>, with Drogba likely to be right in the thick of the euphoria.

WHAT'S NEXT?

VIDEO: Didier Drogba goes WILD as he celebrates Franck Kessie equaliser for Ivory Coast against Nigeria in AFCON final - just three weeks after Chelsea legend's 'real problem' criticism of his country | Goal.com English Bahrain

Chelsea legend Didier Drigba went wild in the stands after seeing Franck Kessie equalise for the Ivory Coast against Nigeria in the AFCON final.

VIDEO: Didier Drogba goes WILD as he celebrates Franck Kessie equaliser for Ivory Coast against Nigeria in AFCON final - just three weeks after Chelsea legend&apos;s &apos;real problem&apos; criticism of his country