AFCON 2023: Troost Ekong's penalty lifts Nigeria past Ivory Coast

In a gripping encounter at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium, the Super Eagles of Nigeria secured a crucial 1-0 victory over hosts Ivory Coast on Thursday night, marking their first win in the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The decisive moment came in the 55th minute when defender William Troost Ekong converted a penalty, capitalizing on a VAR-reviewed foul on Victor Osimhen by Ousmane Diomande.

The win not only ended Nigeria's four-match winless streak but also marked their first clean sheet in six matches, showcasing a resilient performance by Jose Peseiro's men. With this victory, Nigeria now sits second in Group A with four points, tied with leaders Equatorial Guinea, who secured a 4-2 victory over Guinea Bissau earlier in the day.

The first half of the encounter was marked by a lack of clear goal-scoring opportunities, with both teams struggling to break the deadlock. Despite the hosts having more shots on target, Nigeria managed to keep the scoreline level, heading into the break with a goalless draw.

Never doubt the super eagles 🦅 🇳🇬#soarsupereagles #letsdoitagain #ourafcon #afcon2023 #africanfootball pic.twitter.com/Ep0pu5liMD

— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) January 18, 2024

The turning point came in the 51st minute when VAR confirmed Diomande's foul on Osimhen inside the box, resulting in a penalty for Nigeria. Troost Ekong calmly slotted the ball past Ivory Coast's goalkeeper Yahia Fofana, giving the Super Eagles a valuable lead.

Despite Ivory Coast's late efforts, including several attempts and a trio of substitutes, Nigeria held firm, securing the win with a commanding performance by goalkeeper Stanley Nwabili. The Elephants will now face a challenging task against Equatorial Guinea on Monday.