Nigeria reignited their Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a thrilling 1-0 victory over hosts Ivory Coast at the Allasane Outtara Stadium on Thursday.
William Troost-Ekong emerged as the hero, confidently converting a penalty in the 55th minute after Victor Osimhen was fouled, a decision that underwent VAR scrutiny before being confirmed.
Following a draw with Equatorial Guinea in the initial group game, expectations were high for an improved performance from the Super Eagles.
Coach Jose Peseiro made two strategic changes, introducing Samuel Chukwueze and Calvin Bassey to the starting line-up, as Nigeria aimed for their first win of the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2024).
Nwabali praise
In the first half, Stanley Nwabali's goalkeeping heroics earned him admiration from fans, sparking discussions that the Super Eagles may have found their reliable goalkeeper after persistent challenges in that position.
The frustration was palpable as Victor Osimhen missed a golden opportunity in the opening half, leaving fans discontent with his finishing in the tournament so far.
The victory triggered a wave of reactions on the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), where fans expressed their elation with the team's performance.
Post-match, enthusiasm soared as fans praised the team's resilience to secure the win and expressed hope for continued improvement as the tournament advances.
Turning point for Super Eagles?
Some felt this win will be the turning point for the Super Eagles while others revealed they were surprised with the win, but they will take it.
Looking ahead, the Super Eagles are set to face Guinea-Bissau in their final group match on the 24th, determining their eventual group stage standing.
The win against Ivory Coast has injected renewed optimism among fans, who eagerly anticipate Nigeria's progression in the competition.
