Nigeria beat host country Cote D’ivoire 1-0 in a thrilling encounter at the 2023 African Cup of Nation held at Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara stadium, Abidjan city, Cote D’ivoire.
Super Eagles center back, William Troost-Ekong sored through a penalty at 55th minute when Ousmane Diomande commits the foul on Victor Osimhen.
Referee Mustapha Ghorbal signals for VAR, initiating a review to determine if Nigeria deserves a penalty.
Troost-Ekong did not goof with the penalty as he confidently smashed it in.
The Nigerians protest for a penalty in the 37th minute but the referee ignored the call. That may have hit a hand.
After a VAR review, Nigeria is awarded a penalty, that was converted by William Troost-Ekong who confidently placed it past Yahia Fofana into the heart of the goal.
Both sides have had early chances but could not truly test the goalkeepers. The intensity was impressive given the conditions so far.
Ivory Coast come into this one on the back of a comfortable 2-0 win over Guinea-Bissau in the opening match of the tournament.
While Nigeria were held to a 1-1 draw with Equatorial Guinea. Victor Osimhen scored the only goal for the Super Eagles, and the Napoli striker will be the man to watch out for this evening.
Seko Fofana of Al Nassr scored a rocket to kick off Ivory Coast’s tournament and he is the main man in midfield for the hosts.
Nigeria now took second position in the group with 4 points behind leader Equatorial Guinea.
