Super Eagles 1-0 Ivory Coast - Ola Aina gains respect from Nigerian football fans after 2nd AFCON group game

At the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Nigeria's Super Eagles upset host team Ivory Coast on Thursday evening.

In the first half of the game, which took place at the Olympic Stadium in Ebimpé, neither Nigeria nor Ivory Coast managed to score.

In the first half, Victor Osimhen had a great opportunity to put Jose Peseiro's team ahead when he kicked the ball over the bar after Samuel Chukwueze made a brilliant through pass.

But Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong gave Nigeria the lead with a powerful penalty kick in the second half.

In the end, the Super Eagles won 1-0 to give a boost to their AFCON hopes.

The Super Eagles' defense was solid from start to finish providing a cover for Stanley Nwabali.

Nottingham Forest defender Ola Aina rose to the top of the trends for his performance for the Super Eagles in the victory against Ivory Coast.

Aina on the right side of the defense was solid and also participated in the attack.

The Confederation of Africa Football (CAF)selected Napoli striker Victor Osimhen as the Man of the Match.

There were Nigerian football fans who believed that just like captain William Troost-Ekong, Aina could also have been selected Man of the Match.

Aina since switching his international allegiance from England to Nigeria is now feeling the love from Super Eagles fans.

See reactions below

The victory has moved Peseiro's team up to second place in Group A with four points after two games.

With the same number of games played, Ivory Coast is in third place with three points.

With a goal differential over Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea leads the group, while Guinea-Bissau sits in fourth position with no points.

Nigeria's last group encounter versus Guinea-Bissau is currently scheduled for the next several days.