CIV 0 Nigeria 1: Troost-Ekong's game-winning goal keeps Super Eagles on course for AFCON last 16

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.

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.

Frank Onyeka recorded the first attempt of the game in the 3rd minute but his effort which was from outside the penalty area didn't threaten the Ivorian goalkeeper.

Nigeria created the first big chance of the game in the 7th minute when a through ball from Samuel Chukwueze found the path of Victor Osimhen but the  Napoli striker couldn't hit the target.

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.

In the 51st minute, Victor Osimhen was brought down in the penalty area, and after a long review by the VAR, the infringement was deemed enough for a spot-kick.

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.

Osimhen came close to doubling the lead in the 61st minute from Ola Aina's long throw but he couldn't direct his header towards the goal.

 
Bright Osayi-Samuel was presented with a huge amount of time to create a goalscoring chance during the final ten minutes of the game but the Fenerbahçe right back wasted the opportunity by going for goal by himself.

It would be a comfortable ending of the game for the Super Eagles as Ivory Coast could not create any clear-cut opportunity to draw level.

The victory is the first time the 2013 AFCON Champions will beat the Elephants on home soil.

Peseiro's side now head into the final group game in a good position as they have to face Guinea-Bissau who have nothing to play for on Monday evening.

Abdulkareem Abdulhamid

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