Coach Emerse Fae of Ivory Coast raised a toast to his team of "miracle survivors" after they completed one of the most remarkable turnarounds in the history of major tournaments, clinching the Africa Cup of Nations title by defeating Nigeria 2-1 in Sunday's final.

"It's more than a fairytale. I'm struggling to wrap my head around it," expressed Fae, reflecting on Ivory Coast's remarkable journey. "When I think about all that we've endured, we truly are miracle survivors. We never lost hope and managed to bounce back from numerous setbacks."

Sunday's triumph at the Ebimpe Olympic Stadium in Abidjan, witnessed by an official attendance of over 57,000, marked the third continental title for the Elephants. Notably, they became the first host country to win the Cup of Nations since Egypt in 2006, despite facing the brink of elimination in the group stage.

Ivory Coast suffered defeats against Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea in the group stage, but they defied the odds to progress, eventually clinching the title under the interim guidance of former player Emerse Fae.

Reflecting on the journey, Fae remarked, "All our matches were grueling. We constantly found ourselves trailing, having to dig deep both physically and mentally."

"I can't fully express my joy. It's overwhelming. As a player, I dreamed of winning the AFCON but fell short. Now, as a coach, albeit under unexpected circumstances, we seized the opportunity," added Fae, who turned 40 on the day he assumed coaching duties.

The heroics of Sebastien Haller also stood out, with the Borussia Dortmund striker scoring crucial goals in the semi-final and final. Despite nearly being substituted before his match-winning goal in the final, Haller's perseverance paid off, encapsulating the team's spirit.

"We dreamt of this moment countless times," Haller emotionally shared with French broadcaster beIN Sports. "The scenes of jubilation, the entire nation deserves this."

Haller's journey in the tournament was particularly remarkable, considering he missed the group stage due to an ankle injury. Yet, he defied the odds to contribute significantly to Ivory Coast's triumph.

"It was one of my primary goals to give my all at the AFCON," Haller remarked. "My ankle still isn't fully healed, but it was manageable for today."

In the end, Ivory Coast's AFCON victory stands as a testament to resilience, determination, and the unwavering belief that miracles can indeed happen.