The Super Eagles tonight got their 2023 AFCON campaign back on track with a historic 1-0 win over the host nation Cote d’Ivoire.
Goal: William Troost-Ekong | 🇨🇮 Ivory Coast 0-1 Nigeria 🇳🇬pic.twitter.com/c9OOdHYNBA
— FootColic ⚽️ (@FootColic) January 18, 2024
This was the first win for Nigeria in Cote d’Ivoire in 10 meetings.
The win pushes Nigeria to second place in Group A after Equatorial Guinea defeated Guinea Bissau 4-2 in the earlier game of the group.
Equatorial Guinea top the group with four points from two matches, same as Nigeria, while Cote d’Ivoire dropped to third on three points and Guinea Bissau are bottom without any points.
The Super Eagles tackle Guinea Bissau Monday in a final group game, while Cote d’Ivoire take on surprise group leaders Equatorial Guinea.
Skipper William Ekong put away the match winner in the 55th minute from the penalty spot after Ivorian defender Diomande fouled Victor Osimhen inside the box.
This was after VAR had a second look at the incident.
Nigeria enjoyed a better first half than the home team.
As early as the eighth minute Osimhen had a chance to open scores, but his dink inside the box was off the target.
And almost immediately Cote d’Ivoire would have hit the back of the net but goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali made himself big after confusion in defence for the Ivorians to only win a corner.
It was a bright start by Nigeria, but the AFCON hosts pushed forward on a number of occasions in search of the opening goal.
Ademola Lookman was full of drive and played with his heart to be the Eagles main attacking threat.
After Ekong tucked away the spot kick, Nigeria with their well-organised defence kept the opponents mostly at bay.
Man of the Match by CAF was Osimhen.
(3-4-3)Stanley Nwabali- Calvin Bassey, William Ekong, Semi Ajayi – Zaidu Sanusi (Kenneth Omeruo 79), Ola Aina, Frank Onyeka, Alex Iwobi – Ademola Lookman (Osayi 79), Victor Osimhen (Paul Onuachu 88), Samuel Chukwueze (Moses Simon 72)
