Super Eagles vs Ivory Coast: 10 teammates that will go to battle in Nigeria's 2nd AFCON group game

Nigeria and Ivory Coast will play in one of the most significant Africa Cup of Nations group-stage fixtures.

Following the opening ceremony, the hosts defeated Guinea-Bissau 2-0 on Saturday night in Abidjan.

Affected by injuries, the Super Eagles of Nigeria failed to win their own Group A opener as they played a 1-1 draw against giant killers Equatorial Guinea on Sunday.

The Super Eagles know that to win the group, they would have to perform much better in this important heavyweight encounter.

Les Éléphants not only won their first game of the season but also extended their winning run to seven games across all competitions.

Both teams should be able to fight hard in this game because they have strong lineups.

It is reassuring for the 1992 and 2015 winners, Ivory Coast, that the host nations have only lost one of their previous 38 group-stage matches at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Some members of the Super Eagles and Ivory Coast share the same clubs at the International level.

Super Eagles star Ola Aina is teammates with Serge Aurier, Ibrahim Sangare, and Wily Boly.

Super Eagles star Paul Onuachu is teammates with Nicolas Pepe.

Super Eagles star Terem Moffi is teammates with Jeremie Boga.

Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa is teammates with Max Gradel.

The two teams have a long-standing rivalry; since 1967, they have met 27 times across all tournaments.

The hosts enjoy a narrow 9-8 head-to-head edge because ten of the matches have ended in draws.

In their most recent friendly match, which took place in 2015, the hosts won 1-0 after splitting the previous four encounters.

The Super Eagles have defeated Cote d'Ivoire twice in their six AFCON meetings; the other two times have gone to the home team.

Two of the Super Eagles' victories have come via penalties.

The game between Nigeria and Ivory Coast is set to begin at 6 p.m. on Thursday, January 18, 2024.