Reporting – Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire
The Super Eagles defeated Ivory Coast 1-0 on their second matchday at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations played at the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpé on Thursday evening.
The victory is the first time the 2013 AFCON Champions will beat the Elephants on home soil.
José Peseiro made two changes to the side that started against Equatorial Guinea on Sunday, with Calvin Bassey, and Samuel Chukwueze getting their first start in the competition.
Victor Osimhen almost gave Nigeria the lead in the 8th minute after he was set through on goal by a defence-splitting pass from Samuel Chuwueze. The Napoli striker, however, skied the ball.
The duo of Ademola Lookman and Chukwueze were effective on both sides of the wings for the Eagles as they occupied Serge Aurier and Ghislain Konan, the Ivorian full-backs.
Two minutes later, an error from Zaidu Sanusi gave the host nation their first big opportunity but Stanley Nwabali was there to deny Christian Kouame.
Seko Fofana had an attempt on goal in the 31st minute from a long range but had his effort saved unsatisfactorily by Stanley Nwabali and Sanusi was in a good position to deny the rebound shot from finding the back of the net.
Semi Ajayi got the last chance of the first half but he couldn’t connect his head cleanly to the ball from Ademola Lookman’s freekick.
The match’s key moment came in the 55th minute after Ousmane Diomande caught Victor Osimhen in the box.
William Troost-Ekong stepped up to take the penalty and the center-back sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to give the Super Eagles the lead.
Roared on by a raucous crowd, the Ivorians pushed hard for an equaliser but failed to create a clear chance against a solid Super Eagles defence.
The gallant Eagles leapfrog the Elephants to go second in Group A and are behind leaders Equatorial Guinea, who beat Guinea-Bissau 4-2 earlier on Thursday, on head-to-head record.
However, Nigeria will face already eliminated Guinea Bissau in their last group game while Cote d’Ivoire must defeat Equatorial Guinea to reach the next stage of the tournament.
