Ivory Coast vs Nigeria: Preview, Prediction and Betting Tips

Ivory Coast, the host nation of the Africa Cup of Nations, aims to capitalize on their successful start as they strive to secure a spot in the knockout stages. Their next challenge awaits against Nigeria at the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpé on Thursday.

Nigeria, coming off a less-than-ideal 1-1 draw with Equatorial Guinea on the opening day, seeks redemption and aims to bounce back from their initial setback. The Super Eagles are determined to reignite their pursuit of continental glory in this crucial encounter.

Ivory Coast vs Nigeria Match Preview

Ivory Coast initiated their Africa Cup of Nations campaign on a positive note, securing a comfortable 2-0 victory over Guinea-Bissau last Saturday. Seko Fofana of Al Nasr opened the scoring with a splendid curling shot within the first four minutes, while Jean-Philippe Krasso extended the lead with a well-timed effort in the 58th minute. Under the guidance of coach Jean-Louis Gasset, Les Elephants have maintained an impressive seven-game unbeaten streak, including four consecutive victories since a friendly draw against South Africa in October.

This successful run includes two World Cup qualifying wins, a dominant 9-0 triumph over Seychelles, and a 2-0 victory against Gambia in Dar es Salaam. Fired up and backed by their home supporters, Ivory Coast aims to achieve back-to-back wins in their first two AFCON finals games for the first time since 2013.

Coincidentally, Nigeria secured the title in 2013, finishing as Group C runners-up before triumphing in the final against Burkina Faso. Heading into Thursday’s clash, the Super Eagles face heightened pressure following a disappointing 1-1 draw against Equatorial Guinea in their AFCON opener. Victor Osimhen quickly equalized after Iban Salvador gave the Nzalang Nacional the lead, but Nigeria squandered numerous clear-cut chances.

Under Portuguese head coach Jose Peseiro, Nigeria has faced a concerning string of results, going winless in their last four matches since October’s friendly victory over Mozambique. Their World Cup qualifiers in November yielded two draws against Lesotho and Zimbabwe. To avoid a potential first group-stage exit since 1982, Nigeria must secure all three points on Wednesday.

In contrast, Ivory Coast boasts an impressive record, being unbeaten in 37 of their last 38 group-stage games and maintaining a 17-match undefeated streak in group stages since 2012. Nigeria draws inspiration from their 2013 AFCON encounter with Ivory Coast, where they emerged victorious in the quarter-finals en route to clinching the title in South Africa.

As both teams gear up for a crucial clash, Nigeria seeks redemption and a return to winning ways, while Ivory Coast aims to build on their momentum and solidify their standing as formidable AFCON contenders. The stage is set for an intense battle at the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpé.

Also Read: Egypt vs Ghana: Preview, Prediction and Betting Tips

Ivory Coast vs Nigeria Team News

Sebastian Haller’s absence from last weekend’s opening match remains a concern for Ivory Coast as the 29-year-old striker continues his recovery from an ankle injury. Although Haller has yet to score for Dortmund in the Bundesliga this season, he boasts a commendable track record, finding the net in three of his last four appearances for Ivory Coast since October.

In his absence, 26-year-old Jean-Philippe Krasso led the Les Elephants’ attack against Guinea-Bissau and is expected to partner with Jeremie Boga and Celta Vigo’s Jonathan Bamba. Midfielder Seko Fofana, who opened the 2023 AFCON with a stunning goal, is likely to retain his central role alongside experienced duo Ibrahim Sangare and captain Franck Kessie. The defensive lineup is anticipated to feature Ousmane Diomande alongside Evan Ndicka at center-back, with Wilfried Singo and Ghislain Konan in the full-back positions.

For Nigeria, Alhassan Yusuf’s injury in the opener against Equatorial Guinea puts his availability in doubt for Thursday’s game. In the event of his absence, Southampton’s Joe Aribo may step in, forming the midfield trio with Frank Onyeka and Alex Iwobi. Victor Osimhen, who scored the equalizer in the last match, is expected to lead Nigeria’s attack alongside Moses Simon and Ademola Lookman. The defensive quartet of Ola Aina, Semi Ajayi, William Troost-Ekong, and Zaidu Sanusi is likely to remain unchanged, with Stanley Nwabali continuing in goal for the Super Eagles.

Predicted Lineup for Ivory Coast vs Nigeria

Ivory Coast’s possible starting lineup:

Y Fofana; Singo, Diomande, Ndicka, Konan; Kessie, Sangare, S Fofana; Boga, Krasso, Bamba

Nigeria’s possible starting lineup:

Nwabali; Aina, Ajayi, Troost-Ekong, Sanusi; Onyeka, Aribo, Iwobi; Simon, Lookman, Osimhen

Ivory Coast vs Nigeria Head-to-Head Stats

In the historical encounters between Ivory Coast and Nigeria, the head-to-head record slightly favours Ivory Coast, who have emerged victorious in the last two meetings. These victories occurred in a 2015 friendly match and during the 2013 African Nations Championship.

As of now, Ivory Coast has secured nine wins in total, while Nigeria closely trails with eight victories. The two teams have also played to a draw on ten occasions, highlighting the competitive nature of their encounters.

The upcoming clash between Ivory Coast and Nigeria adds another chapter to their longstanding rivalry, with both teams eager to add to their respective win columns and potentially alter the balance of their head-to-head history. The closely contested head-to-head record sets the stage for an intriguing battle on the pitch, as both nations seek to assert their dominance in this storied football rivalry.

Last 5 Head to Head

21 Jan 2008     Ivory Coast 1-0  Nigeria, Africa Cup of Nations
03 Feb 2013    Ivory Coast 1-2   Nigeria, Africa Cup of Nations
06 Jul 2013     Nigeria 4-1 Ivory Coast, African Nations Championship
27 Jul 2013     Ivory Coast 2-0   Nigeria, African Nations Championship
11 Jan 2015     Nigeria 0-1 Ivory Coast, International Friendly

Ivory Coast vs Nigeria Prediction

While Ivory Coast’s performance against Guinea-Bissau may not have been flashy, it was effective, securing a 2-0 victory with well-executed goals. This success has undoubtedly boosted their confidence, especially with the support of an enthusiastic home crowd. Under the guidance of Jean-Louis Gasset, Ivory Coast has become a formidable force, scoring an impressive 19 goals in their last five games. Notably, they netted nine against Seychelles in a World Cup qualifier and put five past Sierra Leone in a pre-AFCON friendly.

In contrast, Nigeria, despite possessing a strong squad, struggled to impress in their opening game against Equatorial Guinea. The Super Eagles have endured a winless streak, losing to Guinea before the tournament and drawing World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Zimbabwe. With mounting pressure on Portuguese head coach Jose Peseiro, Nigeria faces a challenging task.

In this context, the prediction leans towards Ivory Coast securing a 1-0 victory. The home advantage, coupled with their recent goal-scoring prowess, makes them the favored team. Nigeria will need to address its recent struggles and put on a more convincing display to contend with the confident Ivorian side.

Prediction: Ivory Coast 1-0 Nigeria.

Also Read: Senegal vs Cameroon Preview, Prediction and Betting Tips

Ivory Coast vs Nigeria: Betting Tips

• Tip 1: Under 2.5 goals
• Tip 2: Ivory Coast to score first- yes
• Tip 3 Clean Sheet expected.
• The highest odds on Ivory Coast are currently 23/20 by Grosvenorcasinos
• The highest odds on the Draw are currently 11/5 by 10bet.co.uk
• The highest odds on Nigeria are currently 10/3 by 10bet.co.uk

Where to watch Ivory Coast vs Nigeria

• India: FanCode
• United Kingdom (UK): Sky Sports
• United States (US): beIN Sports
• Nigeria: NTA
• Ivory Coast: beIN Sports 

These are the respective broadcasting channels/platforms for viewers in India, the UK, the US, and Nigeria to catch the live telecast of the Ivory Coast vs Nigeria match. Please note that broadcast details may be subject to change, and it’s recommended to check local listings or official sources for the most up-to-date information.