A second-half penalty from William Troost-Ekong secured a 1-0 victory for the Nigerian Tremendous Eagles in opposition to hosts Ivory Coast of their second Group A match on the AFCON 2023 in Abidjan on Thursday.
The Nigerian gamers got here into the match on the again of a disappointing 1-1 draw in opposition to Equatorial Guinea.
However there may be perception that Nigeria's victory in opposition to Ivory Coast may imply one other AFCON last outing.
It is because Nigeria at all times performs within the last of that 12 months's AFCON if Nigeria wins or attracts in opposition to Ivory Coast.
Following this perception, listed here are 4 causes to assist the declare that Nigeria might be heading for an additional last look at this 12 months's event.
– NIGERIA 0-0 IVORY COAST (AFCON/Group Stage 1980)
Muda Lawal (centre) and teammates have a good time after the midfielder scored Nigeria's third aim through the 1980 AFCON last in opposition to Algeria in Lagos. The one sport the Eagles failed to seek out their solution to the ultimate was the goalless draw in opposition to Ivory Coast. (Picture: CAF)
The primary time Nigeria and Ivory Coast met on the AFCON was the 1980 version within the group stage.
It was the second group match for host nation Nigeria that ended goalless.
Regardless of the disappointing consequence, Nigeria went all the way in which to the finals to raise their first ever AFCON title.
– NIGERIA 1-0 IVORY COAST (AFCON/Group Stage 1990)
Algeria, led by the legendary Rabah Madjer, defeated Nigeria within the 1990 AFCON last. Picture: AFP
Nigeria needed to wait a decade earlier than clashing once more with the Ivorians on the AFCON, this time at Algiers 1990.
It was one other group match, however this time the Nigerian group received because of a aim from the late Rashidi Yekini.
It was the final group match for the Nigerian group, which was a should for them.
After in the end qualifying for the semi-finals from the group stage alongside host nation Algeria, the Nigerian group defeated Zambia and superior to the ultimate.
Sadly, they misplaced 1-0 to Algeria because of a first-half aim.
– NIGERIA 2-2 CÔTE D'IVOIRE: Tremendous Eagles received 4-2 on penalties (AFCON/semi-final 1994)
(L-R) Peter Rufai, Sunday Oliseh and Stephen Keshi of Nigeria have a good time with the African Nations Cup after their group's 2-1 win over Zambia (Picture: CAF)
For the primary time, the Nigerian group met Ivory Coast within the knockout phases of the AFCON and this time it was within the semi-finals of the 1994 version in Tunisia.
Each groups had been degree at 2-2 after 120 minutes of a pulsating encounter, nevertheless it was the Nigerian facet who superior to the ultimate after successful 4-2 within the ensuing penalty shootout.
Within the last, Emmanuel Amuneke's brace secured a 2-1 comeback win in opposition to a decided Zambian facet led by the legendary Kalusha Bwalya.
– NIGERIA 2-1 IVORY COAST (AFCON/Quarter-finals 2013)
On Sunday, Mba shoots to attain in opposition to Ivory Coast through the 2013 AFCON in South Africa. The midfielder would rating the cup-winning aim within the last in opposition to Burkina Faso. Picture: AFP
In the course of the quarter-final of the 2013 AFCON, Ivory Coast had been tipped as favorites over a Nigerian facet that struggled within the group stage.
However to everybody's shock, Nigeria received 2-1 because of targets from Emmanuel Emenike and Sunday Mba.
The win was the turnaround the Nigerian group wanted as they defeated Mali 4-1 within the semi-finals and defeated Burkina Faso 1-0 within the last.
