THE Super Eagles produced a monumental defensive effort tonight to beat hosts Cote d’Ivoire 1-0 in a Group A AFCON 2023 Africa Cup of Nations clash in Abijdan.
After being severely criticised for their performance in the 1-1 draw with Equatorial Guinea in their opening game, the Super Eagles secured a brilliant win that put them joint-top in the group.
Captain William Troost-Ekong scored the only goal of the game from the penalty spot in the second half to earn the Super Eagles the three points.
After a first half that saw African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen miss a glorious chance when he blasted wide with his weaker left foot after being played through by Samuel Chukwueze, the Super Eagles finally found the breakthrough.
Video Assistant Referee (VAR) was involved in the goal, as the penalty was awarded after the foul on Osimhen by Ousmane Diomande was initially missed by the referee.
Troost-Ekong stepped up to take the spot kick and blasted the ball down the middle, giving goalkeeper Yahia Fofana no chance as Nigeria claimed a first-ever victory over Cote d’Ivoire in Cote d’Ivoire.
The Super Eagles should have doubled their lead in the 62nd minute but Osimhen headed wide from close range after finding space from a corner kick.
There were more opportunities on the break for the Super Eagles but final balls from Osimhen and substitute Bright Osayi-Samuel were not good enough.
As it turned out, the Super Eagles, playing a 3-4-3 system with Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi and Troost-Ekong as the starting centre-backs, and Ola Aina and Zaidu Sanusi as wing-backs, defended superbly and did not need a second goal to claim all three points.
The Super Eagles could win the group with a win over bottom team Guinea-Bissau on Monday, the same day Cote d’Ivoire battle Equatorial Guinea.
