The Super Eagles of Nigeria on Thursday secured a 1-0 victory over the Elephants of Cote D’Ivoire in their second group game in the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Captain William Troost-Ekong converted from the spot in the 54th minute after a foul on Victor Osimhen was picked up following a VAR check.
The Super Eagles then held on in front of a frenzied crowd to claim their first win in Group A after beginning their AFCON bid with a 1-1 draw against Equatorial Guinea.
“Our team was better and for that we won, but Ivory Coast is a good team. They lost the match because that can happen,” said Nigeria coach Jose Peseiro, whose decision to play with three central defenders paid off.
“Today I said to my players it is normal that you score at least one goal, so if you don’t suffer a goal, you win.”
Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea are locked on four points at the top of the section, with Ivory Coast behind them on three points and Guinea-Bissau eliminated after losing both games so far.
Nigeria must simply avoid defeat against Guinea-Bissau -– beaten 4-2 by Equatorial Guinea earlier – to ensure a top-two finish.
The fact that the four best third-placed sides in six groups will all advance to the last 16 leaves margin for error, but Ivory Coast must beat Equatorial Guinea in their last match on Monday to guarantee progress.
