A tale of rivalry: Recalling six epic clashes between Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire in AFCON History
A clash between Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has consistently delivered keen and interesting on-field battles plus historic moments.
Ahead of the seventh AFCON meeting between Cote d’Ivoire vs Nigeria at the 2023 edition, scheduled to take place on Thursday, January 18, 2024, SportsRation takes you through six memorable encounters between two of the Africa’s football giants:
1. 1980 AFCON: Nigeria 0-0 Cote d’Ivoire
- Nigeria sought redemption for their 1968 AFCON elimination during this tense goalless draw. The Green Eagles went on to lift the AFCON trophy for the first time, dominating Morocco and Algeria in subsequent matches.
2. 1990 AFCON: Nigeria 1-0 Cote d’Ivoire
- A young Rashidi Yekini’s early strike secured victory for Nigeria in the group stage, setting the stage for a journey to the final where they eventually lost to hosts Algeria.
3. 1994 AFCON: Nigeria 2-2 Cote d’Ivoire (4-2 on penalties)
- A semifinal clash etched in history for its intensity and dramatic twists. Nigeria emerged victorious in a penalty shootout, showcasing resilience and nerves of steel.
4. 2006 AFCON: Nigeria 0-1 Cote d’Ivoire
- Inspired by Drogba and Toure, Cote d’Ivoire secured their first AFCON victory over Nigeria in this semifinal clash, winning 1-0.
5. 2008 AFCON: Nigeria 0-1 Cote d’Ivoire
- A 1-0 victory for Cote d’Ivoire in the group stage, with Salomon Kalou’s goal proving decisive. Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire both faced subsequent disappointments in the tournament.
6. 2013 AFCON: Nigeria 2-1 Cote d’Ivoire
- An iconic quarterfinal where Nigeria triumphed with goals from Emmanuel Emenike and Sunday Mba, paving the way for the Super Eagles to secure the AFCON title. That win was a fitting revenge for the Eagles having lost the last two meetings vs the Elephants in the competition.
These historic encounters underscore the rich and competitive history between Nigeria and Ivory Coast in the AFCON, with each match adding new pages to the enduring rivalry.
As the teams prepare for their latest clash in the 2023 edition, a new dimension will be added to this storied rivalry between this two West African countries.
