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•Take crucial win over Elephants
William Troost-Ekong’s second-half penalty gave Nigeria a crucial victory over hosts Ivory Coast in Group A at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Troost-Ekong smashed home after Ousmane Diomande was adjudged to have fouled Victor Osimhen following a VAR check.
Osimhen broke through on goal but fired over early on, shortly before Christian Kouame shot wide at the other end from Zaidu Sanusi’s misplaced header.
Seko Fofana went close twice for the Elephants with long-range strikes.
Nigeria leapfrog the Elephants to go second in Group A and are behind leaders Equatorial Guinea, who beat Guinea-Bissau 4-2 earlier on Thursday, on head-to-head record.
Head coach Jose Peseiro made two changes to the team that drew with Equatorial Guinea on the opening day, with Calvin Bassey and Samuel Chukwueze coming in for Alhassan Yusuf and Moses Simon.
Nigeria set up in a 3-4-3 formation as Bassey slipped beside William Troost-Ekong and Semi Ajayi in defence, while Zaidu Sanusi and Ola Aina took their places as wing-backs.
Chukwueze and Lookman flanked star forward Victor Osimhen in attack, with Stanley Nwabali continuing in goal.
Despite the change in system, Niheria had the first sight of goal but Onyeka flashed wide from the edge of the box.
It was Osimhen’s turn to be wasteful in the 8th minute as he raced through on goal but slapped his effort high and wide.
Cote d’Ivoire retaliated instantly and goalkeeper Nwabali had to be smart to keep out Christian Kouame’s left-footed shot.
From then on, it was a hard-fought battle in the middle of the park until the referee signal for the end of the first half.
Ten minutes into the second half and Nigeria took the lead from the penalty spot.
VAR caught a foul on Osimhen in the Ivorian box and captain Troost-Ekong showed perfect nerves to convert from 12 yards out.
Despite the lead, the Super Eagles did not let up and continue to create good chances but poor headers from Osimhen and Onyeka stopped them from adding to their advantage.
Cote d’Ivoire stepped up the pace of the game shortly after but there was little for goalkeeper Nwabali to do.
