AFCON 2023: Nigeria Defeat Host Nation Ivory Coast (Live Updates)

The Super Eagles are back on track at the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations as they defeated the host nation Ivory Coast 1-0 at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan.

A second-half goal from William Troost-Ekong gave Nigeria the deserved win over the host nation.

Scroll down to see how the game unfolded.

99' FULL-TIME! Nigeria defeat the host nation 1-0 in Abidjan.

90+5' Nigeria continue to defend strongly despite pressure from Ivory Coast

90+1' YELLOW CARD Nwabili is booked for time wasting.

90' The fourth official signals nine minutes of added time.

88' Victor Osimhen is replaced with Paul Onauchu.

86' Seko Fofana tries to squeeze out some space for a shot but his striker was high and wide.

83' Nigeria hit Ivory Coast again on the counter again, but Osayi-Samuel was unable to shoot the final ball.

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80' SUBSTITUTION Ademola Lookman and Zaidu Sanusi are replaced with Kenneth Omeruo and Bright Osayi-Samuel as Nigeria hope to hold on to their one-goal lead.

75' CHANCE! Ivory Coast continue to pile pressure on Nigeria's defence, but Ndicka's header from Pepe's corner-kick is high and wide.

73' NWABILI SAVES! A long pass is played towards Pepe in Nigeria's box, but Nwabili leaves his line and punches the ball away.

72' SUBSTITUTION Moses Simon is introduced for AC Milan winger Chukwueze.

68' Ivory Coast have an opportunity from a freekick from over 25 yards, but Sangare's attempt flies into the stands.

66' SUBSTITUTIONS Serge Aurier, Jeremie Boga, and Christian Kouame were replaced with Wilfried Stephane Singo, Nicolas Pepe, and Jonathan Bamba, respectively.

61' Nigeria tries to hit Ivory Coast on the counter after Ola Aina intercepted the Elephants' attack, but Osimhen's cross from the play was clear by the home side's defence.

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59' Ivory Coast are pushing for an equaliser, but the Nigerian defence remain disciplined.

55' GOAL! Nigeria take the lead as Troost-Ekong buries the penalty won by Osimhen.

51' PENALTY! Nigeria have been awarded a penalty after Diomande tripped Osimhen in the box.

47' Calvin Bassey received treatment after bumping into Kouame, but he is back on the pitch.

SECOND HALF 46' We're back underway for the second half. Ivory Coast gets the ball rolling.

HALF-TIME - The first 45 minutes ends goalless, with Ivory Coast being the better team in terms of possession while Nigeria created the better chances.

45' Super Eagles have an opportunity from a corner kick, but Sanusi hit the volley to the stands.

37' CHANCE! Lookman swung in a free-kick from the left, but Ajayi's header was high and wide.

31' BIG SAVE! Seko Fofana tries a long-range effort towards Nigeria's goal but his shot was parried by Nwabili.

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29' Zaidu Sanusi tries to find Osimhen in the box with a cross, but it was intercepted by Ivory Coast goalkeeper Fofana.

28' Ivory Coast dominate the possession with 57.5%, while Nigeria are on 42.5%.

25' COOLING BREAK! Both teams took a break due to the weather in Ivory Coast.

23' SHOT BLOCKED! Nigeria hit Ivory Coast on a counter, but Chukwueze's effort was blocked by Ndicka.

19' Zaidu is back on the pitch after receiving treatment from the medical team.

18' Zaidu Sanusi is down after a bad fall from a push from Franck Kessie.

15' CHANCE! Ivory Coast got a big chance in Nigeria's box, but Ndicka's effort was saved by Nwabili.

10' OFFSIDE! Chukwueze was caught offside after getting a chance in the box.

9' CHANCE FOR THE HOST! Christian Kouame capitalizes on a poor header from Nigerian defender Zaidu, but Nwabali comes to the rescue.

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8' CHANCE! Samuel Chukwueze plays a through ball to Osimhen on goal. He gets in front of two Ivorian defenders, but his shot goes high and wide.

6' Victor Osimhen was penalised for a foul on Ousmane Diomande.

2' Ivory Coast swing a cross in, but Nigeria clear their lines.

Ivory Coast vs Nigeria Kick-off

1' Nigeria gets the ball rolling in Abidjan.

The Elephants fans are turning up with just over an hour to go until kick-off.

Ivory Coast vs Nigeria team news

Ivory Coast XI: Fofana, Aurier, Ndicka, Diomande, Konan, Fofana, Sangare, Kessie, Kouame, Boga, Krasso.

Subs: Badra Ali Sangare, Amani, Singo, Kossounou, Bamba, Konate, Boly, Seri, Gradel, Pepe, Diallo, Diakite.

Nigeria XI: Nwabili, Aina, Ekong, Ajayi, Bassey, Zaidu, Onyeka, Iwobi, Lookman, Chukwueze, Osimhen.

Subs: Uzoho, Olorunleke, Bruno, Awaziem, Omeruo, Osayi-Samuel, Onyedika, Iheanacho, Aribo, Musa, Simon, Onuachu.

Match preview

The Elephants sealed all three points in their first game against Guinea-Bissau while the Super Eagles struggled to get past Equatorial Guinea.

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Ivory Coast are confident ahead of the game, being the host nation, while Nigeria needs a win to boost their chances of qualifying for the next round.

Seko Fofana and Victor Osimhen are players to look out for in the tie, with both players registering a goal each so far.

Where to watch the game

All AFCON 2023 matches will air on Sports Premium, channel 252 or 246, on StarTimes as well as on StarTimes-ON app.