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

AFCON 2024: 24 Teams' Quest For African Supremacy

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 vs Nigeria LIVE

• Ivory Coast take on Nigeria in the Africa Cup of Nations
• The Elephants are currently top of Group A after beating Guinea-Bissau 2-0
• Nigeria are third following a 1-1 draw with Equatorial Guinea
• 73’ CLOSE! - Fofana curls a shot wide of the target (CIV 0-1 NIG)
• 55’ GOAL! - Troost-Ekong scores the penalty (CIV 0-1 NIG)
• 52’ PENALTY! - Osimhen wins a spot kick thanks to VAR (CIV 0-0 NIG)
• 32’ SAVE! - Nwabili denies Seko Fofana after a long range shot (CIV 0-0 NIG)
• 15’ CLOSE! - Ndicka shoots but hits Nwabili in goal (CIV 0-0 NIG)
• 9’ CHANCE! - Osimhen lifts one over the top (CIV 0-0 NIG)

[18 January 2024 17:50 · Mike Jones]

Half-time! Ivory Coast 0-0 Nigeria

45+3 mins: The teams head into the break with honours even. The Nigerian players have a conference on the pitch before they head down the tunnel.

They need more intensity and creativity in the second half if they want to win this one. Ivory Coast will be happy enough with how they’re playing.

[18 January 2024 17:47 · Mike Jones]

Ivory Coast 0-0 Nigeria

45 mins: Three minutes of added time to play in this half. Nigeria are probably edging it in terms of big chances though it’s an incredibly tight contest.

One goal may be enough to secure the points.

[18 January 2024 17:44 · Mike Jones]

Ivory Coast 0-0 Nigeria

42 mins: Just a few minutes to go until half-time and nothing to separate the teams despite a couple of decent chances for both. Will we get an opener before the end of the first half?

Chukwueze gives away a free kick on the right sid eof the pitch but Ivory Coast can’t complete a decent drive down the line and Nigeria win back possession.

[18 January 2024 17:41 · Mike Jones]

Ivory Coast 0-0 Nigeria

39 mins: There seems to be a bit of frustration in Victor Osimhen after a loose pass from Samuel Chukwueze heads out of play. The visitors are playing well but they need to click inside the final third to really have a chance at upsetting Ivory Coast.

[18 January 2024 17:38 · Mike Jones]

Ivory Coast 0-0 Nigeria

36 mins: Ademola Lookman whips a free kick into the box for Nigeria. There’s a bit of argy bargy before the set piece is taken but Semi Ajayi manages to get free and reach the ball.

It strikes him on the hand and flies over the crossbar for a goal kick. Some of the Nigerian players appeal for handball not realising it hit their own teammate.

[18 January 2024 17:33 · Mike Jones]

Ivory Coast 0-0 Nigeria

33 mins: Save!

Seko Fofana blazes a fine effort from a long way out and gets the ball to swerve past the nearest defender and back in towards goal.

Stanley Nwabili parries the ball away to Christian Kouame whose effort is then blocked just as the offside flag is raised against him.

[18 January 2024 17:31 · Mike Jones]

Ivory Coast 0-0 Nigeria

30 mins: William Troost-Ekong covers brilliantly as Krasso is played in behind Semi Ajayi. The Nigerian captain beats the forward to the loose ball and boots it out of play before being clattered by the sprinting striker.

It’s brave defending and now he’s suffering for it. The centre-back stays down and clutches the back of his leg as the physios come on to check him over.

[18 January 2024 17:29 · Mike Jones]

Ivory Coast 0-0 Nigeria

27 mins: After the first cooling break, the match resumes with Ivory Coast on the front foot. Nigeria look defensively solid and stay deep when the hosts have possession. Jeremie Boga runs into a cluster of white shirts and can;t feed the ball out wide.

There needs to be more creativity from Ivory Coast when they’re in control. They have only been threatening on the counter so far.

[18 January 2024 17:27 · Mike Jones]

Ivory Coast 0-0 Nigeria

24 mins: Nigeria burst forward once again and find Alex Iwobi. He’s flying as he heads into the box and belts a shot away but the effort is well blocked again by Roma’s Evan Ndicka.

[18 January 2024 17:24 · Mike Jones]

Ivory Coast 0-0 Nigeria

21 mins: An enterprising overhead kick attempt from Osimhen is blocked just inside the box and Ivory Coast burst forward on the counter once more.

Ibrahim Sangare threads the ball over to Jean-Philippe Krasso but his pass back into the penalty area is intercepted and cleared. The hosts are lightning quick on that counter-attack with Nigeria unable to keep up with them.