Nigeria beats AFCON 2023 host, Cote D’Ivoire, 1-0
By ABIRHIRE THOMAS, Abidjan
Nigeria handed Africa Cup of Nations hosts Ivory Coast a 1-0 defeat in their Group A clash at the Stade D’ Ebimpe/Cote D’Ivoire Stadium, on Thursday, with a second-half penalty settling the encounter.
Victor James Osimhen brought the Nigerian hope back scoring the first match and caused a penalty that resulted to Super Eagles victory in the second.
Captain William Troost-Ekong that plays for Paok C of Greece struck home the 55th minute spot kick after a VAR review showed by Lahlou Benbraham of Algeria shows that young Ivorian defender Ousmane Diomande, who plays for Sporting Lisbon, had impeded Victor James Osimhen of SSC Napoli down.
The result means Nigeria moves above the Ivorians in the standings on four points along with Equatorial Guinea, who beat Guinea Bissau 4-2 earlier. The hosts have three.
The clash of the west African heavyweights was a largely languid affair, dominated by physical battles and with few clear-cut chances created.
But Ousmame Diomande, 20, was found to have caught Osimhen on the knee as the two tussled for the ball in the penalty area and Troost-Ekong blasted the ball straight down the middle to settle the clash.
The match did not end as Drogba was seen hurriedly leaving the stadium.
Victor James Osimhen, who won the Man of the Match, after receiving the ball, broke lose to where the Super Eagles Supporters Club led by Prince Vincent Okumagba to thank them for the non-stop singing and drumming.
