The Super Eagles of Nigeria took a giant step towards qualifying for the round of 16 at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations with a 1-0 win over hosts, the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire in the battle of the heavyweights in Group A on Thursday.
Played at a jampacked Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan, the Elephants cheered on by the partizan crowd were seeking to qualify for the knockout stages with a win following their 2-0 triumph over Guinea-Bissau in the opening game while the Eagles who drew with Equatorial Guinea had to avoid defeat to stay in contention.
The key moment of the match came in the 55th minute when Ivorian defender Ousmane Diomande fouled African footballer of the year, Victor Osimhen inside the box.
Algerian referee Mustapha Ghorbal allowed play to continue but was called over to review the challenge on the monitor by the VAR.
After he changed his decision and awarded a penalty, Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong stepped up and smashed the ball past Elephants goalkeeper, Yahia Fofana.
The home side tried desperately to equalise but Nigeria’s goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali and the defence held firm to clinch the win.
The Super Eagles leapfrogged the Elephants to go second in Group A on four points behind leaders Equatorial Guinea, who beat Guinea-Bissau 4-2 earlier with captain, Emilio Nsue scoring the first hat-trick of the tournament.
Equatorial Guinea have 4 points and a goal difference of plus 2 while the Eagles have 4 points and a plus 1 goal difference.
Cote d’Ivoire who are currently third on three points will have to beat Equatorial Guinea on Monday to guarantee progress to the knockout stages although a draw might also be adequate.
Nigeria whose four points could already be enough to reach the round of 16, face Guinea-Bissau in their final Group A game also on Monday.
In another blockbuster encounter on Thursday, two giants of African Football served up a thrilling 2-2 draw as the Pharaohs of Egypt collided with the Black Stars of Ghana in Group B.
Ghana, who shockingly lost their first game 2-1 to Cape Verde, took the lead through West Ham star Mohammed Kudus in added time of the first half.
Egypt, who lost captain Mohamed Salah to injury in the second half however fought back and drew level in the 69th minute through Omar Marmoush.
However, Kudus who missed Ghana’s loss to Cape Verde put the Black Stars back in front just 141 seconds later grabbing his brace in the 71st minute.
7-time champions Egypt refused to give up and got rewarded when Mostafa Mohamed scored in the 74th minute to secure the draw.
The Pharaohs stay second behind leaders Cape Verde who will secure top spot in Group B if they beat Mozambique on Friday.
The Black Stars who are bottom of the group must beat Mozambique in their final grouo game to advance while Egypt need a win against Cape Verde to be sure of reaching the second round.
Action continues on Friday at the AFCON with another mouthwatering tie in Group C as defending champions the Teranga Lions of Senegal take on 5-time champions, the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon.
Senegal thrashed Gambia 3-0 in their opening game while Cameroon drew with Guinea.
In the other Group C match on Friday, Guinea will battle Gambia.