Ivory Coast vs Nigeria: 3 reasons for optimism as Super Eagles take on tournament hosts

The Super Eagles of Nigeria face their toughest test yet in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations against Ivory Coast, with few fans seeing any hope of a positive result from the match.

After a shaky opening match against Equatorial Guinea, the Super Eagles desperately need points against hosts Ivory Coast, who opened their campaign with a comfortable 2-0 win over Guinea Bissau.

The gulf in performance between Ivory Coast and Nigeria leaves little room for optimism among fans of the Super Eagles ahead of the crunch encounter, but there are still some reasons for them to hold out hope for a positive result.

Antwerp midfielder Alhassan Yusuf’s incredible AFCON debut came to a screeching halt when he was forced off with an injury; however, a quick recovery means the 23-year-old should be available against the tournament hosts.

Yusuf was arguably the Super Eagles’ best player against Equatorial Guinea, with an inspiring all-action midfield display that left a significant impression on fans and pundits alike.

Coming up against an Ivory Coast side with a notably strong midfield that has Seko Fofana, Ibrahim Sangare, and Franck Kessie pulling the strings, Nigeria will need their most dynamic midfielder to keep up.

The Super Eagles will be able to call upon the services of both Terem Moffi and Kelechi Iheanacho, who belatedly joined the team camp and missed the opening game against Equatorial Guinea.

Iheanacho’s injury and Moffi’s late arrival with permission left the Super Eagles depleted in attack and short of options to tweak the game tactically.

Iheanacho’s inclusion will allow Alex Iwobi to drop deeper in midfield alongside Yusuf, where he appears to be more comfortable, while Moffi provides a partner or a replacement off the bench for Osimhen.

When push came to shove against Equatorial Guinea, Peseiro could only call on Paul Onuachu, who has not scored a goal for Nigeria in two years, to save the Super Eagles’ blushes, so having the firepower that Moffi brings could be crucial against Ivory Coast.

After immense clamour, it appears that coach Peseiro has finally heeded the cries of Nigerians by putting error-prone goalkeeper Francis Uzoho on the bench against Equatorial Guinea.

The move to promote Chippa United goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to the first choice of the Super Eagles potentially solves at least one problem in the team, giving the team more confidence going forward, knowing they do not have to worry about a probable error at the back.

Although Nwabali is not perfect and comes with his own baggage, it is unlikely that he will cause as many palpitations among Super Eagles fans as the now ex-number one.

For one, Nwabali is a regular for his side, playing 15 matches in the 2023/24 season, and will be sharper than Uzoho, who has only played five times in the league for Cypriot side Omonia.