Nigeria on Thursday stood tall in the face of intense Ivorian pressure to beat the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire 1-0 at the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Abidjan.
William Troost-Ekong secured the win for the Super Eagles midway through the second half, in the 55th minute with a penalty kick.
The game was Nigeria’s first win at the AFCON tournament.
The Super Eagles entered the game under immense pressure following their 1-1 draw to Equatorial Guinea in their game opener last Sunday.
Despite relentless roars of support in a packed Stade Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan, the Elephants could not find an equaliser as the Super Eagles held on for a famous victory.
Having flexed their muscles by quietening the Abidjan crowd, Nigeria now has four points after two group stage games, putting the country behind Equatorial Guinea which tops the Group A table.
Cote d’Ivoire are third in the Group A standings with three points while Guinea-Bissau are bottom of the group without a point.
Super Eagles will play their final group game against Guinea-Bissau on 22 January with the hopes of finishing top of the pile.
