AFCON: Four things on display in Nigeria’s win against Côte d’Ivoire

Nigeria claimed an important 1-0 victory over hosts Côte d’Ivoire, a performance that lifted the three-time AFCON champs to the second spot in Group A of the ongoing AFCON tournament.

Troost Ekong fired in the lone goal of the game through a penalty, skillfully sending the goalkeeper, Fofana, the wrong way with a powerful shot to the center.

Here, sportinglife.ng reveal four things we noticed from the win against Côte d’Ivoire’s Elephants.

Peseiro demonstrates tactical acumen in selecting players for the match

In the absence of Alhassan Yusuf in midfield, Peseiro opted for a 3-4-3 formation to approach the game.

This tactical adjustment involved Nigeria defending with five players, maintaining a deep defensive line and granting the Ivorians possession of the ball.

The shift proved advantageous for the Super Eagles, providing ample space for Nigeria’s attackers to exploit during transitions.

Moreover, the chosen formation solidified Nigeria’s defensive capabilities, effectively countering the host’s threats.

With the switch, the Eagles managed to secure a victory on Thursday at the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpé.

Good officiating

Mustapha Ghorbal, the Algerian referee, delivered a commendable officiating performance during the clash between Nigeria and Ivory Coast.

Displaying authority on the field, Mustapha consistently made accurate decisions when required.

The referee rightly awarded a penalty to Nigeria after a collision between Victor Osimhen and Ousmane Diomande in the second half. Additionally, Mustapha judiciously dismissed a penalty appeal from the Ivorians in the final minutes of the game.

Nwabili was impressive in goal for Nigeria

Nwabili showcased a commendable performance for Nigeria in their win against the Elephants. Despite displacing Francis Uzoho as the Eagles’ first-choice goalkeeper ahead of AFCON, Nwabili was not significantly tested during the match against Equatorial Guinea.

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However, in his fourth cap for Nigeria against Côte d’Ivoire, Nwabili played a crucial role in making strategic decisions, particularly in handling set pieces – a notable concern for Nigeria entering the tournament.

The collective performance of Nwabili and the team ensured Nigeria secured their first victory in four competitive games and maintained their first clean sheet since September 10, 2023, when they secured a 6-0 victory over Sao Tome and Principe.

Possible injury concern for Osimhen

Amidst the celebratory atmosphere following the triumph against the host, Nigeria now faces an apprehension leading into upcoming matches in the tournament. Victor Osimhen, the striker, was substituted by Paul Onuachu in the 88th minute due to a minor injury concern.

On the bench, Osimhen was observed with an ice wrap on his lap as Nigeria secured the victory against Côte d’Ivoire’s Elephants.