Ivory Coast vs Nigeria LIVE: Latest Africa Cup of Nations updates as Troost-Ekong penalty breaks deadlock
The Super Eagles are hoping to bounce back following a shock draw against Equatorial Guinea
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The Africa Cup of Nations continues this evening with a much-anticipated battle between Ivory Coast and Nigeria. The result of this match could determine which nation finishes top of Group A. The Ivory Coast currently hold first place following their 2-0 victory over Guinea-Bissau in their Afcon opener and look like a confident force under French boss Jean-Louis Gasset.
Nigeria in contrast slumped to a shock 1-1 draw with Equatorial Guinea last time out. Ivan Salvador opened the scoring for the visitors before the Super Eagles’ talisman, Victor Osimhen, netted an equaliser two minutes later. Nigeria then failed to assert their dominance on the match and could not find a winning goal. They now need to triumph in a trickier contest against the Elephants in order to get their campaign back on track.
Nigeria’s last of their three tournament triumphs came in 2013 with the Ivory Coast becoming champions, for a second time, two years later. However, both nations have underperformed in recent years and will have their sights set on reaching the latter stages of the competition.
Follow along for the live updates plus get the latest Afcon odds and tips right here:
Ivory Coast 0-1 Nigeria
67 mins: Another long throw in from Ola Aina sees him chuck the ball into the box. Nigeria believe this to be a viable tactic as Troost-Ekong heads into the penalty area to provide an option.
He doesn’t win the aerial challenge and Ivory Coast clear their lines.
Ivory Coast 0-1 Nigeria
64 mins: Ivory Coast are slightly opening themselves up as they look for an equaliser. Aina gives away a free kick after fouling Boga meaning the hosts have an opportunity to whip the ball into the box.
Diomande wins the header as the ball is lofted in but he turns it wide of the post.
Ivory Coast 0-1 Nigeria
61 mins: A long throw in from Nigeria sees the ball flung into the six yard box where Osimhen gets his head to it. He tries to whip the effort towards goal but sends it slightly wide of the near post.
Nigeria are turning up the heat here.
Ivory Coast 0-1 Nigeria
58 mins: Ivory Coast come down the right wing and whip a cross into the penalty area. Jean-Philippe Krasso is the target but the ball flicks over his head and is nodded away by Ola Aina.
Decent response from the hosts to going behind.
GOAL! Ivory Coast 0-1 Nigeria (Troost-Ekong, 55’)⚽️
55 mins: William Troost-Ekong steps up for Nigeria and smokes the shot straight into the back of the net as Yahi Fofana leaps to the left.
Nigeria take the lead!
Ivory Coast 0-0 Nigeria
51 mins: There’s a VAR call happening for a potential Nigerian penalty. The ball bobbles into the box and Victor Osimhen sticks out his leg to win the ball.
Ousmane Diomande kicks the underside of his leg and brings the striker down. The video referee brings the on field official over to the pitchside monitor.
He looks through the replays and points to the spot!
Ivory Coast 0-0 Nigeria
48 mins: It’s been a slow and steady start to the second half with Nigeria fighting for possession in the middle of the pitch. Bassey is getting slightly further forward but there’s not a great deal of urgency from the hosts who seem content to take their time and build up slowly.
Second half! Ivory Coast 0-0 Nigeria
Ivory Coast get the ball rolling in this second half and work it over to the right wing where it bounces out of play for a Nigeria throw in.
Kouame and Bassey come to blows in an attempt to win the same aerial ball with the Nigerian coming off slightly worse.
Ivory Coast 0-0 Nigeria
The players are waiting in the tunnel before they head out for the second half. Both teams are handling the occasion well enough but they’ll need to change things up if either wants to win tonight.
Let’s see how the next 45 minutes plays out.
HT Ivory Coast 0-0 Nigeria
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