In a thrilling Group A encounter at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Nigeria secured a surprising 1-0 victory over Africa Cup of Nations hosts Ivory Coast. Captain William Troost-Ekong’s second-half penalty, awarded after a VAR review, proved decisive in settling a closely contested match.
Troost-Ekong Heroics
VAR Drama: Troost-Ekong’s 55th-minute spot-kick, after a VAR review, highlighted young Ivorian defender Ousmane Diomande’s foul on Victor Osimhen, sealing Nigeria’s triumph.
Group Standings: With this win, Nigeria rises to four points alongside Equatorial Guinea, who earlier beat Guinea Bissau 4-2. Ivory Coast now nohas three points in the standings.
The west African heavyweight clash was marked by physical battles, and although chances were limited, Troost-Ekong’s penalty provided the crucial breakthrough.
Defensive Mastery
Solid Defensive Display: Nigeria’s defensive resilience, employing a five-man backline, frustrated the hosts and limited their attacking opportunities. Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali played a crucial role in denying Ivory Coast’s attempts.
Missed Opportunities: Despite Ivory Coast’s Christian Kouame coming close in the first half, Nigeria looked more threatening up front, with Osimhen squandering an early chance.
Nigeria coach Jose Peseiro praised his team’s strategic execution, emphasizing their deserved victory.
Post Match Quotes
– “We put together a good strategy, and my team did it well. I think we deserved the win,” said Nigeria coach Jose Peseiro.
– “Small Details Matter:” Ivorian coach Jean Louis Gasset acknowledged the impact of small details that favored Nigeria.
Despite the loss, Ivory Coast remains well-placed to advance with three points from their opening match. They face Equatorial Guinea in their final group game, while Nigeria takes on Guinea Bissau.
This unexpected victory marks a significant moment for Nigeria, disrupting the AFCON host’s campaign and setting the stage for an exciting continuation of the tournament.
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Credit: Christian Radnedge