2023 AFCON: Ivory Coast vs Nigeria

William Paul Ekong of Nigeria (c) celebrates goal during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations Final match between Cote dIvoire and Nigeria at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan, Cote dIvoire on 18 January 2024 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix

by Thando Mpembe

Thursday Jan 18, 2024. 21:20

Nigeria claimed a 1-0 victory over Ivory Coast in a 2023 Africa Cup of Nations Group A match at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan on Thursday night.

Date: 18 January 2024

Ivory Coast 0

Nigeria 1 (Troost-Ekong 51′)

First 45’: The first-half saw Ivory Coast create the better chances after Victor Osimhen had failed to score from inside the box in the eighth minute. Almost immediately at the other end, goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali denied Christian Kouame with a decent save. The Chippa United shot-stopper also pulled off good saves to deny Evan Ndicka in the 16th minute before parrying away an effort from Seko Fofana to ensure that the first-half ended with the two teams locked at 0-0.

Second 45’: The Super Eagles of Nigeria applied pressure on the Elephants after the restart and they were awarded a penalty after Victor Osimhen was fouled in the box. William Troost-Ekong then converted the resultant penalty to make it 1-0 to Nigeria in the 55th minute. Ivory Coast then searched for the equalising goal with coach Jean-Louis Gasset having introduced the likes of Nicolas Pepe and Karim Konate. However, Nigeria stood firm at the back and they emerged as 1-0 winners.

What’s next?: Nigeria moved up to the second spot on the group standings and they will now face off with Guinea-Bissau on 22 January, while Ivory Coast moved down to the third spot on group standings and they are scheduled to take on Equatorial Guinea on 22 January.