By Michael Madyira
Nigeria dusted themselves following months of stinging criticism to edge Ivory Coast 1-0 in an Africa Cup of Nations Group A confrontation at Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara on Thursday.
Wiliam Troost-Ekong’s penalty spot 10 minutes into the second half separated the two giants and helped the Super Eagles settle second on the table.
After starting their 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifiers on the back foot, as well as being held 1-1 by Equatorial Guinea in their Afcon opener, Nigeria endured some battering from their fans.
But they showed character where it mattered most to leave the Afcon hosts starring ejection from their party at position three on the log.
Ivory Coast skipper Serge Aurier was back to start but lasted 67 minutes as forward Sebastien Hasller was again not fit to play.
The Super Eagles had defender Calvin Bassey in the lineup, Moses Simon being dropped to the bench while Alhassan Yusuf was unavailable in what were the changes from their opening match against Equatorial Guinea.
High tempo characterised the start of the match in a contest that promised several goals.
Victor Osimhen almost thrust Nigeria ahead after seven minutes when he broke loose to come face-to-face with the hosts’ goalkeeper Yahia Fofana but blasted his shot over the bar.
The Afcon hosts responded in the 14th minute when well-positioned AS Roma defender Obite Ndicka’s shot from inside the box was not well-executed, making it easy for Nigeria keeper Stanley Nwabali to collect.
As both sides struggled to crack each other into the second half, the Super Eagles got a big chance at goal when they were awarded a penalty after a VAR review.
Ousmane Diomande was adjudged to have kicked Osimhen on the calf inside the box and up-stepped Troost-Ekong to powerfully leather from the spot.
Fired by the goal, Osimhen started giving Ivorian defenders problems together with Chukwueze.
But the hosts were not going down without a fight as substitute Nicolas Pepe and Seko Fofana came close in quick succession.
Wave after wave of attacks from desperate Ivory Coast drew the best out of Nigeria’s spirited defenders until the final whistle.
Meanwhile, in another Groupo A match played earlier on, Equatorial Guinea beat Guinea-Bissau 4-2 with Emilio Nsue grabbing the first Afcon hat-trick since 2008.
The Equato-Guineans now lead this pool and have four points, the same as the Super Eagles who, however, have an inferior goal difference.
Pictured above: Ivory Coast defender Obite Ndicka tries to block Nigeria forward Samuel Chukwueze from shooting.
Image source: Super Eagles
