Nigeria, after a disappointing 1-1 draw against Equatorial Guinea in their opening match, looks to bounce back and reignite their quest for continental glory. Ivory Coast began the 34th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations on a positive note, securing a comfortable 2-0 victory over Guinea-Bissau. Seko Fofana of Al Nasr opened the scoring in the fourth minute, and Jean-Philippe Krasso sealed the win with a 58th-minute effort.
Under the guidance of coach Jean-Louis Gasset, Ivory Coast has enjoyed an impressive run of seven consecutive games without defeat, including four consecutive wins since a friendly draw against South Africa in October. This successful streak includes two World Cup qualifying victories, with a 9-0 triumph over Seychelles and a 2-0 win against Gambia in Dar es Salaam.
With momentum on their side and strong support from their home crowd, Ivory Coast aims to secure back-to-back wins in their first two games at the AFCON finals for the first time since 2013. Incidentally, Nigeria, the 2013 champions, won the title after finishing as Group C runners-up and clinching a narrow 1-0 victory over Burkina Faso in the final.
Nigeria, however, enters Thursday's clash under pressure following their 1-1 draw against Equatorial Guinea. Despite Victor Osimhen's quick response to Iban Salvador's goal, the Super Eagles were inefficient in front of goal, squandering several clear-cut chances. Under Portuguese head coach Jose Peseiro, Nigeria has faced a string of poor results, going four matches without a win since October's friendly victory over Mozambique.
Needing a win to avoid the risk of a first group-stage exit since 1982, Nigeria faces a formidable Ivory Coast side. The AFCON hosts are unbeaten in 37 of their last 38 group-stage games and have notched up 17 consecutive matches without defeat in the group stages since 2012.
Nigeria will draw inspiration from their last AFCON encounter with Ivory Coast in 2013, where they secured a 2-1 victory in the quarter-finals en route to winning the title in South Africa.
INJURIES & SUSPENSION
Sebastian Haller, a noticeable absence in the previous weekend's opening game, remains uncertain for Thursday's match as he continues his recovery from an ankle injury. Although the 29-year-old striker has yet to score for Dortmund in the Bundesliga this season, he has found the net in three of his last four games for Ivory Coast since October.In Haller's absence, Krasso took charge of leading Les Elephants' attack against Guinea-Bissau. The 26-year-old is likely to team up with Jeremie Boga and Celta Vigo forward Jonathan Bamba in the upcoming game.
Fofana, who scored the opening goal of the 2023 AFCON with a brilliant curler, is expected to maintain his role in the center of the park, flanked by the experienced duo of Ibrahim Sangare and captain Franck Kessie.
Ousmane Diomande, making his AFCON debut over the weekend, is likely to partner with Evan Ndicka in the center-back position, while Wilfried Singo and Ghislain Konan are expected to resume their roles as full-backs.
In Nigeria's camp, Alhassan Yusuf, who was stretchered off due to injury in the opener against Equatorial Guinea, is a major doubt for Thursday's game. If he fails to recover, Southampton's Joe Aribo may step in, forming the midfield trio with Premier League duo Frank Onyeka and Alex Iwobi.
Victor Osimhen, who opened his AFCON account with the equalizer against Nzalang Nacional, is set to lead Nigeria's attack once again, accompanied by Moses Simon and 26-year-old Ademola Lookman.
Defensively, the back four is expected to remain unchanged with Ola Aina, Semi Ajayi, William Troost-Ekong, and Porto full-back Zaidu Sanusi. Stanley Nwabali from Chippa United is likely to start between the posts once again.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Ivory Coast possible starting lineup:Y Fofana; Singo, Diomande, Ndicka, Konan; Kessie, Sangare, S Fofana; Boga, Krasso, Bamba
Nigeria possible starting lineup:
Nwabali; Aina, Ajayi, Troost-Ekong, Sanusi; Onyeka, Aribo, Iwobi; Simon, Lookman, Osimhen
EXPERT PREDICTION
Ivory Coast 1-1 Nigeria
Ivory Coast enters the upcoming match with a great deal of confidence after their impressive performance against Guinea-Bissau. Despite this, we anticipate their defense will face a significant challenge on Thursday, as Nigeria boasts a skilled attacking lineup led by Osimhen.
Our prediction is that both teams will nullify each other's efforts, resulting in a draw where they settle for a share of the points.
