AFCON: Ekong’s goal secures victory for Super Eagles against Ivory Coast

The Super Eagles of Nigeria have defeated the Elephants of Ivory Coast in their second game at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

A second-half penalty from William Troost-Ekong was the sole difference as Nigeria beat the host country at the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpé, Abidjan, on Thursday.

The victory was Super Eagles’ first win in a competitive match since September 2023. The result also ended the team’s unsavoury four-game winless streak.

The Super Eagles entered the game under immense pressure following their 1-1 draw to Equatorial Guinea in the first game.

However, Jose Peseiro, the Eagles’ head coach, made just one change to the starting lineup of the previous match.

Calvin Bassey came on for the injured Alhassan Yusuf, who was ruled out of the Ivory Coast clash due to injury.

Despite playing the home team, the Super Eagles were the better side in the early minutes of the end-to-end encounter.

Victor Osimhen almost gave Nigeria the lead in the 8th minute after he was set through on goal by a defence-splitting pass from Samuel Chuwueze. The Napoli striker, however, skied the ball.

The duo of Ademola Lookman and Chukwueze were effective on both sides of the wings for the Eagles as they occupied Serge Aurier and Ghislain Konan, the Ivorian full-backs.

But the match broke for Nigeria early in the second half. Ousmane Diomande snatched at the heels of Osimhen in the Ivorian goal area, and the referee pointed to the spot. Ekong struck the penalty straight and powerful down the middle.

The Eagles held on for a vital victory that sent them second in the group with four points.

Nigeria will face Guinea-Bissau in their final group game on January 22.

PLAYER RATINGS

Nwabali, GK (4/5): He closed down to save Sanusi’s blushes and oozed confidence all through. He made good decisions all-round and is gradually cementing the position for himself.

Ola Aina, (3/5): He was not allowed to find his range going forward as Ivory Coast targeted the wings. The Nottingham Forest defender had a decent defensive outing.

Semi Ayjayi, DC (4/5): He was effective defending alongside his captain — Nothing fancy, but effective.

William Troost-Ekong, DC (5/5): The captain gave an assured display marshalling the backline. Ekong crowned his majestic display with the winning penalty kick.

Zaidu Sanusi, DF (3/5): He was sloppy early on but improved to put in a decent game.

Frank Onyeka, MF (4/5): He played the anchorman role to near perfection, covering every blade of grass and making successful tackles. The Brentford midfielder shielded the backline effectively.

Calvin Bassey, MF (4.5/5): He made up the fifth man at the back when his team switched into defensive mode and was instrumental in silencing Seko Fofana.

Alex Iwobi, MF (3/5): He had a more defensive brief as Nigeria played on the counter and put on a decent display. No showboating.

Samuel Chukwueze, FW (3/5): He sent through a wonder ball to set Osimhen up for one of the most significant chances in the game. However, Chukwueze’s decision-making leaves much to be desired—a decent outing.

Ademola Lookman, FW (3.5/5): He was not given the freedom to make things happen on the wing but won fouls all around the pitch and continued to try in attack.

Victor Osimhen, ST (4/5): The emotional striker missed a good chance early in the game and won the penalty with his usual combative style. He led the attack with grit, and it paid off.

Substitutes

Moses Simon, FW (3/5): He came on later in the game, and his decent showboating kept the Ivoirien defence on their toes.

Bright Osayi-Samuel, DF (2/5): He could have added gloss to the scoreline but was selfish.

Kenneth Omeruo, DC (3/5): Added steel to a solid defence as Nigeria saw out all three points.

Additional reporting by Jonathan Ledger