AFCON ’23: How Super Eagles Defeated Cote d’Ivoire’s Elephant

There were millions of Nigerians who were worried about the game’s outcome before it started on Thursday at 6 p.m. Given the team’s dismal performance in their first group match on Sunday—a 1-1 draw with Equatorial Guinea—their apprehension was understandable. The Super Eagles won the game by coming back from a deficit.

The Eagles defeated the host country on Thursday in a stadium match. Captain William Troost-Ekong set the example with a crucial penalty to inspire their football fans.

Early in the second half in Abidjan, the Nigerian captain scored from the spot to give the Super Eagles their first tournament win and a lead over the Ivorians in Group A.

After a VAR review, it was determined that Ola Aina had fouled Victor Osimhen in the area, and Ivory Coast paid the price for missing several opportunities.

Because of the outcome, Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea now share the same four group points, while Ivory Coast leads by three with one game remaining.

When Osimhen of Napoli outran Serge Aurier, he nearly put Nigeria ahead early, but he could not keep his shot down.

Nigeria had a rare opening in the first half, but Ivory Coast dominated.

As Troost-Ekong applied pressure, Christian Kouame, an attacking threat for Ivory Coast, headed far over.

Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali blocked Kouambe’s attempt on the turn after Zaidu Sanusi mishandled a bouncing ball.

In another attempt to set up Evan Ndicka, Kouambe pulled back across the goal, but Ndicka volleyed directly at Nwabali.

A long-range attempt by Seko Fofana was then blocked by Nwabali, and Kouame’s counterattack was swiftly stopped by Sanusi.

Following Aina’s apparent challenge-related kick of Osimhen, Nigeria took the lead early in the second half. After examining the footage on the pitchside monitor, the referee changed his mind and allowed play to resume.

Upon receiving the ensuing spot-kick, former Watford defender Troost-Ekong scored with precision.

In response, Ivory Coast missed the mark twice: once with a header from Ousmane Diomande and once with Ibrahim Sangare.

The home team increased their pressure and Fofana went closer, but his shot went wide and Ndicka’s back-post header went wide.

A late push from Ivory Coast did not result in another threat, but Bright Osayi-Samuel cost Nigeria the opportunity to seal the win when he threw off a shot.