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 0-1 Nigeria
83 mins: An Ivory Coast corner is floated into the box but Nigeria clear their lines. They burst ip the pitch but hold onto possession too long,
Bright Osayi-Samuel dances into the box and looks to shoot but he takes too many touches and gets brought down.
Mike Jones18 January 2024 18:45
Ivory Coast 0-1 Nigeria
80 mins: Into the final 10 minutes now and Ivory Coast have flooded the pitch with attacking players in order to find a way through Nigeria.
The Super Eagles are happy to just defend this lead but with the way the momentum is turning they’ll have to be perfect in defence.
Mike Jones18 January 2024 18:43
Ivory Coast 0-1 Nigeria
76 mins: A corner for Ivory Coast, who are started to control this second half, sees the ball swung over to the far side of the penalty area.
Evan Ndicka leaps into the air and powers a headed effort over the top of the crossbar. Nigeria are hanging on.
Mike Jones18 January 2024 18:36
Ivory Coast 0-1 Nigeria
73 mins: Chance! Ivory Coast have made a few changes, one of which is Nicolas Pepe, who makes an enterprising run down the right wing.
He gets into the box as the ball comes over the top only for Stanley Nwabili to push the ball away from him. The hosts regain possession and pull it back to Seko Fofana who curls a shot wide of the far post.
Mike Jones18 January 2024 18:35
Ivory Coast 0-1 Nigeria
70 mins: 20 minutes to go and the second cooling break is taken. It’s a chance for both teams to reset and come up with a method to get through this match.
All the pressure is now on Ivory Coast who will drop to third place should they lose.
Mike Jones18 January 2024 18:32
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.
Mike Jones18 January 2024 18:29
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.
Mike Jones18 January 2024 18:26
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.
Mike Jones18 January 2024 18:23
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.
Mike Jones18 January 2024 18:19
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.
Mike Jones18 January 2024 18:16