Why the Super Eagles defeated Ivory Coast and advanced to the AFCON 2023 finals

William Troost-Ekong's second-half penalty earned Nigeria's Super Eagles a 1-0 victory against hosts Ivory Coast in the second Group A match of AFCON 2023 in Abidjan on Thursday.

Nigeria's players came into the match despite a disappointing 1-1 draw against Equatorial Guinea.

However, some believe that Nigeria's victory over Ivory Coast could mean they will once again qualify for the AFCON finals.

This is because whenever Nigeria wins or draws against Ivory Coast, they always play in the finals of that year's AFCON.

In line with this idea, here are four reasons to back up the claim that Nigeria could once again aim to reach the finals of this year's tournament.

– Nigeria 0-0 Ivory Coast (1980 AFCON/Group Stage)

Muda Lawal (centre) and teammates celebrate after the midfielder scores Nigeria's third goal in the 1980 AFCON final against Algeria in Lagos. The only game in which the Eagles did not score on their way to the final was a scoreless draw with Ivory Coast. (Photo: CAF)

Nigeria and Ivory Coast first met in AFCON in the group stage in 1980.

It was host country Nigeria's second match in the group stage, which ended scoreless.

Despite the disappointing result, Nigeria made it to the final and won their first ever AFCON title.

– Nigeria 1-0 Ivory Coast (1990 AFCON/Group Stage)

Algeria, captained by the legendary Raba Majer, defeated Nigeria in the 1990 AFCON final. Photo: AFP

Nigeria had to wait 10 years before clashing with Ivory Coast again in AFCON, this time in Algiers in 1990.

Another group match was played, but this time the Nigerian side won with a goal from the late Rashidi Yekini.

This was the final match of the group, a must-win for the Nigerian side.

After eventually making it through the group stage to the semi-finals alongside hosts Algeria, the Nigerian side defeated Zambia to advance to the final.

Unfortunately, we conceded a goal in the first half and lost to Algeria 0-1.

– Nigeria 2-2 Ivory Coast: Super Eagles won 4-2 on penalties (1994 AFCON/Semifinals)

(LR) Peter Rufai, Sunday Oliseh and Stephen Keshi of Nigeria celebrate at the African Cup of Nations after their team won 2-1 against Zambia (Photo: CAF)

The first time the Nigerian team faced Ivory Coast in the knockout stages of AFCON was in Tunisia in 1994, this time in the semi-finals.

After a heated 120-minute match, both teams drew 2-2, but the Nigerian side won 4-2 in the ensuing penalty shootout to advance to the final.

In the final, Emmanuel Amuneke scored two goals, resulting in a 2-1 come-from-behind victory over a strong Zambian team led by the legendary Kalusha Bwalya.

– Nigeria 2-1 Ivory Coast (2013 AFCON/Quarterfinals)

On Sunday, the MBA player took a shot and scored against Ivory Coast at the 2013 AFCON in South Africa. The midfielder scored the cup-winning goal in the final against Burkina Faso. Photo: AFP

In the quarterfinals of the 2013 AFCON, Ivory Coast emerged as the favorites to win against Nigeria, who struggled in the group stage.

But to everyone's surprise, Nigeria won 2-1 with goals from Emmanuel Emenike and Sunday MBA.

The win was a much-needed comeback for the Nigerian team, which defeated Mali 4-1 in the semifinals and Burkina Faso 1-0 in the final.

Source: guardian.ng