Troost Ekong’s Goal Seals Thrilling AFCON Win for Super Eagles Against Ivory Coast

• Round two of the 34th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations continues
• Host country Ivory Coast faced off against Nigeria’s Super Eagles
• William Troost-Ekong's strike ensured victory for Jose Peseiro’s team

The much-anticipated showdown between the host nation, Ivory Coast, and the Super Eagles of Nigeria lived up to the lofty expectations and hype.

From the first blast of referee Mustapha Ghorbal’s whistle to the conclusive final whistle, the riveting encounter kept fans on the edge of their seats throughout the duration of the match.

The game came to life when star forward Victor Osimhen missed a crucial opportunity in the eighth minute, setting the stage for an end-to-end battle for a significant portion of the 90 minutes.

Marked by significant misses and close calls, the first half concluded with both teams deadlocked as they headed into halftime.

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However, the second half saw Jose Peseiro's team gaining momentum. The Super Eagles came alive, launching a series of attacks.

The pressure eventually led to Ivory Coast's downfall when defender Ousmane Diomande, slightly late in his challenge, clipped Osimhen's leg while attempting a clearance.

The Algerian referee, assisted by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), awarded a penalty, which the captain, William Troost-Ekong, successfully converted in the 55th minute.

The remainder of the game followed a predictable pattern, with the host nation dominating possession and the Nigerian team showcasing impeccable defensive skills.

Despite continuous attacks from Jean-Louis Gasset's side, the Eagles' resolute defence held firm, forcing the Ivorian team to resort to long-range shots.

While midfielders Seko Fofana and Ibrahim Sangare displayed commendable effort, the impervious Super Eagles' defence remained unyielding.

In the end, Nigeria managed to secure a narrow 1-0 victory. This win propelled them ahead of the host nation by a point in their group, bringing them level with table-topping Equatorial Guinea.

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Super Eagles icon makes AFCON prediction

In another report, Sports Brief highlighted former Super Eagles goalkeeper Dosu Joseph has made a bold prediction ahead of the AFCON.

The 50-year-old retired shot-stopper who spoke in an exclusive with Sports Brief, stressed that the Nigeria Super Eagles will clinch the AFCON title.

The Atlanta 1996 Olympic Gold medalist also stressed Napoli forward and Nigeria’s talisman Victor Osimhen would be named the tournament's most valuable player. Dosu’s prediction appears to align with the predictions of several other former international players who have shared their insights on the upcoming AFCON.