Nigeria’s Super Eagles got their AFCON 2023 campaign back on track with a 1-0 victory over the hosts, the Elephants of Ivory Coast, on Thursday.
Jerrymusa.com reports that Nigeria got the all-important goal through William Ekong’s penalty, throwing the stadium into a deafening silence.
The Ivorians had felled Napoli striker, Victor Osimhen who appeared to be through on goal, thereby gifting Nigeria the spot-kick.
The Elephants of Ivory Coast, however, piled on the pressure in a daunting search for redemption, but the Eagles would survive the pressure from Ivory Coast, neatly defending their half and preventing an equaliser
With this win, the Super Eagles moved to within just a goal difference of Equatorial Guinea who beat Guinea-Bissau earlier in the day.
In a show of improved tactical display, Coach Jose Paseiro fortified the Eagle’s defence with the inclusion of Calvin Bassey who bossed the Ivorian strikers with his strength and stamina.
Nigeria will take on Guinea-Bissau in their next AFCON encounter which should be a walkover for the motivated Super Eagles team.