There was heartbreak for Fulham pair Calvin Bassey and Alex Iwobi as Nigeria surrendered a 1-0 lead to lose 2-1 to hosts Ivory Coast in the Africa Cup of Nations final tonight.
The Super Eagles were ahead for much of the contest despite being second best in terms of possession and quality of play. Former Fulham trainee William Troost-Ekong headed the Nigerians in front from a corner shortly before half time, but Nigeria were stunned by a second half turnaround at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan.
Franck Kessie punished some poor marking to equalise at the far post from a free-kick before cancer survivor Sebastien Haller, a reported Fulham transfer target last month, scored a superb winner when he classily converted a cross from Brighton forward Simon Adingra. One former Craven Cottage cult hero was celebrating, however, as Jean Michael Seri turned in a virtuoso performance in central midfield.
Bassey and Iwobi are expected to return to training at Motspur Park next week and could feature in Fulham’s next Premier League fixture – a home tie against Aston Villa on Saturday.
