Tigers’ coach hails Jean Michael Seri after his key role in famous Ivory Coast AFCON title win over Nigeria…

In the renowned Ivory Coast AFCON championship victory over Nigeria, Jean Michael Seri is crucial.
The Tigers star was instrumental in his nation’s AFCON victory on home grounds.

Star player Jean Michael Seri of Hull City put on another outstanding performance to lead the Ivory Coast to their third and most dramatic Africa Cup of Nations victory.

Despite dominating the entire match, the City star was taken off the field with 92 minutes remaining in the final versus Nigeria. The hosts were ahead 2-1 at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan, having trailed by a goal in the first half.

Three-time champions William Troost-Ekong gave Nigeria the lead with a header just before halftime, against the flow of play. Nevertheless, Seri’s team persisted in probing and creating opportunities, and just after the hour, Franck Kessie headed in from a corner to tie the score.

Wild scenes then followed as former West Ham striker Sebastian Haller turned in Simon Adingra’s magnificent cross from the left with nine minutes to go, leaving Ivory Coast to see out added time with little fuss, and allowing Seri to take his leave.

The partisan 60,000 home crowd showered Seri with a standing ovation as his team, having been on the verge of elimination after a dismal group stage, approached the brink of an improbable victory.

The win completes an incredible comeback for Seri and the hosts. Under interim manager Emerse Fae, the powerful 32-year-old didn’t play a minute in the group stages under Jean-Louis Gasset. Instead, he was added to the team for the first knockout match against Senegal, the defending champions, and he finished the tournament as Man of the Match to cap off a fantastic triumph.

Seri played an hour in the semi-final victory over DR Congo, where he maintained his excellent form. He concluded an incredible personal tournament with a brilliant performance in the championship match. This week, Seri will return to East Yorkshire with a winning medal to show off to his Tigers teammates and join his teammates in becoming a legendary player.