Ivory Coast 0-1 Nigeria: Troost-Ekong's second half penalty hands Super Eagles narrow victory over hosts

Nigeria defeated Africa Cup of Nations hosts Ivory Coast 1-0 in Group A on Thursday at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium, thanks to a second-half penalty.

Captain William Troost-Ekong converted the 55th-minute penalty kick after a VAR review determined that young Ivorian defender Ousmane Diomande had impeded Victor Osimhen.

Nigeria now lead the Ivorians in the standings by four points, as do Equatorial Guinea, who defeated Guinea Bissau 4-2 earlier. The hosts have three.

The clash of the West African heavyweights was a slow-paced affair, dominated by physical battles and with few clear-cut opportunities created.

However, Diomande, 20, was found to have caught Osimhen on the knee as the two tussled for the ball in the penalty area, and Troost-Ekong blasted the ball straight down the middle to settle the dispute.

Nigeria created few chances for their hosts in a strong defensive performance, playing five at the back and keeping the tricky home attack at bay. They also appeared more dangerous up front, with Osimhen squandering a promising opportunity for an early lead.

Christian Kouame came closest for the hosts in the first half, but his shot was blocked by Nigerian goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.

The Ivorians ran out of energy early on and, despite nine minutes of stoppage time, never looked like defeating the Super Eagles, who won in Ivory Coast for the first time in ten attempts.

Ivory Coast remain in a strong position to advance, having already earned three points from a 2-0 victory over Guinea Bissau on Saturday.

They play Equatorial Guinea in their final group game on Monday, while Nigeria play Guinea Bissau at the same time.

Both games are in Abidjan, but at stadiums on opposite ends of the city.

SportsLigue