Super Eagles Pull Down Elephants In Their Fortress, Run Away With A Lone Goal Victory, Close To Qualification

Super Eagles Pull Down Elephants In Their Fortress, Run Away With A Lone Goal Victory, Close To Qualification

By Olopade Sakiru

The Super Eagles of Nigeria at the Olympic stadium of Ebimpe, Abidjan, recorded their first victory in the ongoing African Cup Of Nations, (AFCON) in Ivory Coast with a slim victory over the Elephants of Cote d'ivoir.

It is even the first victory for the Nigerian National Team in a competitive match since September, 2023.

The Jose Peseiro men went into the end-to-end encounter under intense pressure, having drawn their first game against Equatorial Guinea and needed to win against the host country, backed by their vociferous fans.

Super Eagles could have drawn the first blood in the 7th minute but Victor Osimhen blazed over the bar, in swift reaction, Seko Fofana struck but Stanley Nwabali made a good save to avert any danger.

Nigeria put up a spirited fight, inspite of the large crowd, rooting for the home team with the host country Authority, declaring public holiday to allow fans to cheer the elephants to victory but Super Eagles were undaunted, poised to come out top.

In the 55th minute, Nigeria got the much needed goal after Victor Osimhen had been hacked down in the vital area and the resultant penalty was decisively tucked in by the team's captain, Williams Troost Ekong

The Elephants reacted well with Seko Fofana, doing all he could but the defense line of the Super Eagles, comprising of Calvin Bassey, Williams Troost Ekong, Semi Ajayi, Ola Aina coupled with the daring saves of goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali proved a hard nut to crack.

The victory has brought Nigeria close to the qualifications to the next round of the ongoing AFCON, needed just a draw in their last group game against Guinea Bissau while the hosts must win on the final day of matches in the group against Equatorial Guinea, the group leader.