Super Eagles Revive their AFCON 2023 Ambitions with Win Over Hosts Côte d’Ivoire 

*Victor Osimhen voted Man-of-the-Match

Duro Ikhazuagbe 

Nigeria’s Super Eagles revived their fourth Africa Cup of Nations title on Thursday evening after defeating hosts country Côte d’Ivoire 1-0 to join Equatorial Guinea at the top of Group A.

A lone 55th minute penalty converted by On-field Captain, William Troost-Ekong, gave Nigeria victory against the Elephants who won their opening game against Guinea-Bissau on Saturday. 

African Player of the Year,  Victor Osimhen, won the penalty after he was infringed in the box by Ivorian defender Diomande. It took few minutes review by VAR to award Nigeria the spot kick. Ekong blasted the ball into the net from the spot. Expectedly, Osimhen was voted the Man-of-the-Match.

It was Nigeria’s first defeat of the Ivorians in their home in 10 matches. The victory has now taken the pressure off the Eagles who drew their opening game 1-1 with Equatorial Guinea last Sunday.

With four points from two matches, another victory against Guinea-Bissau on Monday will take Nigeria to the top of the group on seven points and remain at the Stade Alassane Ouattara in Ebimpe area of Abidjan for their knockout round match. 

As early as the eighth minute Osimhen had a chance to open scores, but his dink inside the box was far off the target.

And almost immediately Cote d’Ivoire seized the momentum and also missed hitting the back of the net.  Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali made himself big after confusion in defence between Zaidu Sanusi and Calvin Bassey.

It was a bright start by Nigeria, but AFCON hosts pushed forward on a number of occasions in search of the opening goal.

Earlier yesterday, Equatorial Guinea defeated  Guinea Bissau 4-2 to go four points. 

Equatorial Guinea with same four points from two matches as Nigeria, are leading the group on goals difference while Cote d’Ivoire dropped to third on three points and Guinea Bissau are bottom without any points.

The Super Eagles will tackle Guinea Bissau on Monday in a final group game, while Cote d’Ivoire take on surprise group leaders Equatorial Guinea.

RESULTS 

E’Guinea 4-2 G’Bissau

C’d’Ivoire 0-1 Nigeria

TODAY

C’Verde v Mozambique 

Senegal v Cameroon

Guinea v Gambia

GROUP  A

                  P.  W.  D.  L.  F.  A.  GD.  PTS

E’Guinea. 2.     1.   1.   0.   5.  3.  2.     4

Nigeria.     2.     1.   1.   0.   2.  1.   1.    4

C’ d’Ivoire 2.      1.   0. 1.    2.  1.   1.    3

G’Bissau.  2.      0.   0.  2.   2.  6.  -4.  0