In a thrilling encounter, the Super Eagles of Nigeria showcased their prowess and solidified their position as one of the top contenders for this year’s African Cup of Nations. The team secured a crucial 1-0 victory over the host nation, Ivory Coast, in a match that saw defender William Troost-Ekong shine as he converted a penalty in the 55th minute. This pivotal moment came after striker Victor Osimhen was fouled by Ivorian defenders inside the penalty box.
Contrary to their lackluster performance against Equatorial Guinea on Sunday, the Eagles demonstrated an impressive display, matching the host country’s firepower. Prior to Troost-Ekong’s goal, both teams had their fair share of opportunities, with the Nigerian team being particularly wasteful in front of goal.
Following a lackluster showing against Equatorial Guinea, Nigerian fans harbored concerns about the team’s potential premature exit from the group stages. However, the spirited performance against the Elephants has reignited hopes for a successful campaign in Ivory Coast.
Also Read: How to watch AFCON 2024 live
With the victory, Nigeria now sits atop the group with four points, sharing the lead with Equatorial Guinea. Ivory Coast trails closely behind with three points, while Guinea-Bissau has been eliminated after suffering defeats in both of their games. Although the format allows for the top four third-placed teams to advance, Ivory Coast must secure a win against Equatorial Guinea to guarantee progress, while Nigeria only needs to avoid defeat against Guinea-Bissau.
The match drew a staggering crowd of 49,517 fans, a significant increase from the host’s opening game. This attendance marked a stark contrast to the controversy surrounding the number of empty seats during the initial match in the 60,000-capacity venue.
Despite the favorable atmosphere, Ivory Coast faced a historical setback as the first host nation to lose a group stage match in an AFCON since 2012. Notably, star forward Sebastien Haller remained absent due to injury, and coach Jean-Louis Gasset made tactical changes, introducing Serge Aurier at right-back and Christian Kouame on the right wing.
This encounter marked the first meeting between the two sides at the AFCON since their quarter-final clash in 2013, the year Nigeria last lifted the coveted trophy. As the tournament progresses, the Super Eagles aim to build on their recent triumph and make a strong bid for AFCON glory.
