By Akinwale Kasali
The Super Eagles of Nigeria on Thursday broke a 57 year old soccer jinx.
The team needed a solitary goal from a spot kick converted by stand-in Captain, William Troost Ekong, to record its first win over Côte d’ Ivoire in that Country’s home-soil. For 57 years, Nigeria lost to the Ivorians in their home soil. It ended on Thursday.
Many had predicted that the Super Eagles will lose against the highly rated host, Elephants of Côte d’ Ivoire having recorded a draw against the National Thunder of Equatorial Guinea in its opening fixture. But the three-time AFCON Champions proved their mettle as a formidable team in the Continent by proving bookmakers wrong with a victory.
Coach Jose Peseiro had made some minor changes in the squad that recorded a stalemate in its opening fixture by introducing Calvin Bassey and Samuel Chukwueze in the starting 11 and this. Paid off as both players were exceptional in the match.
Stanley Nwabali remained in goal with the team playing a 3-5-2 formation with Oluwasemilogo Ajayi, William Troost Ekong and Calvin Bassey as the three man in the Super Eagles defense, while Zaidu Sanusi, Alex Iwobi, Frank Onyeka and Ola Aina in the heart of the midfield.
Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen and Samuel Chukwueze leading the attack, to mount pressure on the Côte d’ Ivoire defense that included; Serge Aurier, Ousmane Diomande, Evan Ndicka and Ghislain Konan in the heart of the host defense.
Diomande Miskick Osimhen as the Super Eagles mount pressure on the host defense, the Video Assistant Referee, VAR, intervention however paid off as the Super Eagles were awarded a penalty to record its first goal of the competition that was comfortably converter by Troost Ekong.
With the Super Eagles victory, the team now has four points alongside Equatorial Guinea which recorded a 4-2 triumph against Guinea Bissau to go top of the Group.
The Super Eagles will file out against Guinea Bissau in their last Group A encounter in four days, aiming to win and qualify for the Round of 16.
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