Nigeria's Tremendous Eagles will look to kick-start their assault on the fourth African Cup of Nations (AFCON) trophy by beating Ivory Coast of their second group match.
Nigeria began its 2023 AFCON season with a disappointing 1-1 draw in opposition to Equatorial Guinea in a Group A match on Sunday however will look to beat hosts Ivory Coast on Thursday.
The Tremendous Eagles have to beat Ivory Coast to progress with the 2023 AFCON hosts on the desk, however then historical past might repeat itself if Nigeria avoids defeat.
The Eagles received the AFCON trophy in Nigeria 1980, Tunisia 1994 and South Africa 2013, and in every of the 3 times they turned champions they performed CIV and prevented defeat.
Each international locations clashed for the primary time on the AFCON when Nigeria hosted in 1980. The tie on the Surulere Nationwide Stadium ended 0-0 and it was Nigeria's second match (as it is going to be on Thursday).
The Eagles wanted to beat Egypt of their third match to qualify for the semi-finals (through which they beat Morocco 1–0) to progress and in the end win the trophy for the primary time.
In 1994, each groups confronted one another within the semi-finals on the Stade El Menzah in Tunis. The match ended after a 2–2 attract a penalty shootout.
Petite Michel Bassole scored for the Ivorians, whereas Rashidi Yekini (in reminiscence) and Benedict Iroha scored for Nigeria.
Yekini scored the successful penalty for the Eagles, and Nigeria took their second crown by beating Zambia 2–1 within the remaining, with Emmanuel Amuneke netting a brace.
In 2013, on their technique to a 3rd victory, the Eagles defeated the Elephants 2–1 in a quarter-final on the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg, with Emmanuel Emenike and Sunday Mba scoring for Nigeria.
In the meantime, Nigeria will look to finish its four-match winless streak in opposition to Ivory Coast after drawing 1-1 in opposition to each Lesotho and Zimbabwe of their two 2026 World Cup qualifiers, dropping 2-0 to Guinea in a pleasant and drew 1-1 in opposition to Equatorial Guinea. Guinea on Sunday.
