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 0-0 Nigeria
18 mins: Zaidu Sanusi is down after a challenge from Franck Kessie. The Nigerian defender twists his ankle on the way to the deck and needs a bit of treatment on the side of the pitch.
The Nigerian fans are making a lot of noise and are generally enjoying themselves. It’s good to see.
Ivory Coast 0-0 Nigeria
15 mins: Close! A diagonal ball comes across the pitch to Kouame on the right side of the penalty area. He pulls the ball back on the volley and sets up Evan Ndicka to take a shot.
He hits it well but the effort is directed straight at Nwabili who clings onto the ball without too much trouble.
Ivory Coast 0-0 Nigeria
12 mins: There’s a few nerves in the Ivory Coast defence especially when the ball is whipped in towards Victor Osimhen. Nigeria win themselves a corner that is swung in by Zaidu Sanusi.
Alex Iwobi almost reaches it with a lunging header but he’s forced to track back as the hosts counter. Seko Fofana drives the ball forward before Iwobi catches him and brings him to the ground.
Ivory Coast 0-0 Nigeria
9 mins: Oh there’s the chance!
Nigeria should be ahead. Samuel Chukwueze drifts inside from the right and receives the ball in the middle of the pitch. He flicks a superb ball over the defence as Victor Osimhem runs through the lines.
Osimhen brings the ball under control then lifts his shot across the face of goal. Yahia Fofana is beaten but the ball sails over the crossbar and the chance goes begging.
At the other end, Ivory Coast pile pressure on the Nigerian defence with Kouame smoking a shot at Stenly Nwabili who keeps it out with his chest.
Ivory Coast 0-0 Nigeria
6 mins: Christian Kouame and Serge Aurier combine wonderfully on the right wing for Ivory Coast and Kouame manages to cut inside before laying the ball back off to Aurier.
He’s stuck on his heels and can’t get off a cross before the nearest defender closes him down and boots the ball clear.
Ivory Coast 0-0 Nigeria
3 mins: The first chance of the match falls to Nigeria who weave the ball down the left side of the pitch and thread it into the penalty area.
A pass back to Semi Ajayi sees the defender let fly with a long range effort but he skews his shot well wide of the far post and concedes a goal kick.
Decent start from Nigeria though.
Kick off! Ivory Coast 0-0 Nigeria
Nigeria get the ball rolling for this Group A encounter. They have never won in the Ivory Coast and now need to perform following their opening draw with Equatorial Guinea.
Playing in white, which is rumoured to be unlucky for the Super Eagles, they work the ball over to the right side of the pitch but the hosts gain possession and look to build slowly from the back.
Ivory Coast vs Nigeria
Ivory Coast have made two changes for today’s game.
Nottingham Forest’s Serge Aurier replaces Wilfried Singo at right-back, and Christian Kouame comes in for Jonathan Bamba on the left wing.
Meanwhile, Nigeria winger Samuel Chukwueze replaces Moses Simon on the right flank, with Fulham defender Calvin Bassey replacing midfielder Alhassan Yusuf.
How will Ivory Coast cope?
Galatasaray winger Wilfried Zaha was not called up for the Ivory Coast by manager Jean-Louis Gasset in what was a surprising move.
Sebastien Haller and Simon Adingra have been included in the squad despite struggling with ankle and hamstring issues respectively.
Haller could potentially feature this evening against Nigeria.
Can Nigeria win Afcon?
Nigeria’s strength in depth up front is their main threat. Victor Osimhen is their star player and he will be supported by AC Milan winger Samuel Chukwueze, Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman and more.
If head coach Jose Peseiro can strike the right balance between defence and attack, then Nigeria should go far, but their form over the past 12 months has been underwhelming as was their opening draw against Equatorial Guinea.
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