Super Eagles of Nigeria defender william Troost-Ekong celebrates goal against Cote d’Ivoire with teammates.
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Troost-Ekong’s Penalty Seals Victory For Nigeria Against Cote d’Ivoire

By Chidi Nwoke, Abuja.

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The Super Eagles of Nigeria secured a valuable 1-0 victory against hosts Cote d’Ivoire in their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Group A clash, courtesy of William Troost-Ekong’s penalty strike, at the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpé in Abidjan.

Nigeria are now in second place in Group A, level on points (4) with leaders Equatorial Guinea, who have a superior goal difference. Cote d’Ivoire  are in third place with 3 points, while Guinea-Bissau have zero (0).

Preview

The Super Eagles of Nigeria are taking on hosts the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire in their Africa Cup of Nations Group A match, at the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpé in Abidjan.

Nigeria are seeking its first victory at the 2023 AFCON, while hosts Cote d’Ivoire are aiming to secure a spot in the knockout stages with a victory against the Super Eagles.

This will be Cote d’Ivoire and Nigeria’s seventh meeting at the Africa Cup of Nations. As things stand, they can’t be separated. Of their six games so far, they have won two each and drawn two, scoring five goals each.

Their last AFCON meeting was in 2013, where Nigeria won 2-1 in the quarter-finals and went on to lift the prestigious trophy. The three previous meetings between Cote d’Ivoire and Nigeria in the group stage of the tournament have produced only two goals (0-0 in 1980, 1-0 to Nigeria in 1990, 1-0 to Ivory Coast in 2008).

Nigeria started with African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen up-front in a 3-4-3 formation, with Samuel Chukwueze and Ademola Lookman supporting on the flanks. Cote d’Ivoire featured Jeremie Boga and Jean-Philippe Krasso in a two-man attack.

The absence of midfielder Alhassan Yusuf will be a big blow for the Nigerians as he misses out through injury. However, Calvin Bassey moves into midfield to replace the maestro. Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali keeps his place in the startling lineup ahead of Francis Uzoho.

KICK OFF!!!

1′  We are off at the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpé in Abidjan where Nigeria are taking on hosts Cote d’Ivoire in their Africa Cup of Nations Group A encounter.

3′ Nigeria pushes forward. Midfielder Frank Onyeka fires a hot but it goes wide. Calvin Bassey goes down after a collision seconds later.

6′ Free kick for Nigeria as Victor Osimhen is brought down in the middle of the pitch.

8′ Victor Osimhen finds himself in box but fires wide of the mark.

10′ Nigeria’s Samuel Chukwueze is caught offside.

12′ Nigeria gets a corner kick after Cote d’Ivoire defender clears the ball.

15′ Cote d’Ivoire defender Evan Ndicka finds space in Nigeria’s box and fires a shot, but Nigeria goalkeeper Nwabili makes the save.

18′ Zaidu Sanusi goes down injured after a challenge from Frank Kessie.

22′ Cote d’Ivoire attacks Nigeria’s box but defender Troost-Ekong makes a brilliant interception.

25′ Play is stopped as Sanusi goes down again with a knock.

31′ Cote d’Ivoire Midfielder Seko Fofana fires a shot from range, but goalkeeper Nwabali makes a nice save.

36′ The match seems to be balanced as both sides take a cautious approach to the game.

42′ Nigerian defender Sanusi calmly chests the ball down to his goalkeeper after neutralising a Cote d’Ivoire attack.

45′ Three (3) minutes of extra time added on by the fourth official.

45+3′ HALFTIME!!!  Nigeria 0-0 Cote d’Ivoire. The referee blows the halftime whistle as scores the remain 0-0. 

The first half of the highly anticipated encounter between Nigeria and hosts Cote d’Ivoire has ended 0-0, with both sides creating a few chances in the match at the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpé in Abidjan.

The players are coming out for the second half of this thrilling encounter. Would both sides change tactics in search of three (3) precious points? Lets find out.

46′ Nigeria’s Calvin Bassey collides with Cote d’Ivoire winger Christian Kouame after contesting for a ball in the air.

51′ Osimhen gets fouled in penalty box after trying to get a shot off. He was closely marked by Cote d’Ivoire defender Ousmane Diomande.

Victor Osimhen gets fouled in the box.

The referee goes to the VAR monitor for a possible penalty for a foul on Osimhen.

53′ PENALTY!!!!! The referee awards a penalty to Nigeria after a VAR review.

54′ Troost Ekong steps up for the spot kick and fires the ball into the net to give Nigeria the lead. GOAL!!!!!!!

57′ Cote d’Ivoire awarded a free kick in their own half.

62′ Mustapha Ghorbal signals a throw-in for Nigeria close to Cote d’Ivoire’s area.

65′ Frank Onyeka’s header is off target for Nigeria.

67′ Cote d’Ivoire replaces Serge Aurier with Wilfried Stephane Singo. Jonathan Bamba also replaces Christian Kouame.

Goal for Nigeria as defender William Troost-Ekong fires the Super Eagles into the lead.

72′ Nigeria makes a change as Moses Simon replaces Samuel Chukwueze.

76′ Nigeria gets a goal kick.

80′ Bright Osayi-Samuel replaces Ademola Lookman for Nigeria. Kenneth Omeruo comes on for Zaidu Sanusi.

81′ Oumar Diakite replaces Ghislain Konan for Cote d’Ivoire.

83′ Corner kick awarded to Cote d’Ivoire.

84′ Karim Konate replaces Jean-Philippe Krasso for Cote d’Ivoire.

88′ Paul Onuachu comes on for Victor Osimhen.

89′ Cote d’Ivoire’s Ibrahim Sangare gets a strike but misses the target.

90′ The referee adds 9 minutes of extra time.

90+2′ Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali receives a yellow card.

90+5′ Ball is safe as Nigeria is awarded a throw-in in their half.

90+9′ Can Cote d’Ivoire capitalise from a throw-in deep inside Nigeria’s half/. No!

90+9′ The referee blows the final whistle as Nigeria beats Cote d’Ivoire 1-0 in a thrilling encounter at the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpé in Abidjan.

 

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