As the roar of the crowd prepares to engulf the stadium, football fans across Africa hold their breath for the epic clash between Côte d’Ivoire and Nigeria in Group A of AFCON 2023. This electrifying rivalry, steeped in history and brimming with talent, promises a spectacle that will leave everyone on the edge of their seats. But before the whistle blows, let’s ignite the fire with five fascinating facts about past AFCON encounters between these two titans:
First AFCON game between Côte d’Ivoire and Nigeria was in 1980
The first time Nigeria faced Côte d’Ivoire at the Africa Cup of Nations was at the 1980 edition in Nigeria.
It was the second game in Group A for the two teams which ended goalless.
Nigeria and Egypt went on to qualify for the semi-finals while Côte d’Ivoire and Tanzania crashed out. Nigeria would go on to win its maiden AFCON title.
Nigeria’s first AFCON win against Côte d’Ivoire was at the 1990 edition
The first time Nigeria defeated Côte d’Ivoire at the AFCON was at the 1990 tournament held in Algeria.
It was the third and final game in Group A for both teams, with the late Rashidi Yekini getting the only goal of the game as Nigeria won 1-0.
While the Nigerian team qualified for the semi-finals alongside hosts Algeria, Côte d’Ivoire and Egypt were eliminated at the group stage.
Côte d’Ivoire’s first AFCON win against Nigeria was in 2006
The Elephants of Côte d’Ivoire had to wait until the 2006 AFCON before they recorded their first win against Nigeria in the competition.
A Didier Drogba second half strike was enough to earn the Ivoirians a 1-0 win and qualification to the final where they lost to hosts Egypt after a penalty shootout.
Nigeria has more wins against Côte d’Ivoire in their AFCON meetings
In six AFCON meetings, Nigeria has recorded three wins to Côte d’Ivoire’s two wins with one game ending in a draw.
The three wins for Nigeria were at the 1990, 1994, and 2013 AFCON tournaments.
For the Ivoirians, their wins against Nigeria were at the 2006 and 2008 editions.
The only draw between the two teams was at the 1980 AFCON held in Nigeria.
AFCON 2023 will be fourth group stage meeting between Côte d’Ivoire and Nigeria
Ahead of Thursday’s meeting, Côte d’Ivoire and Nigeria had met in the group stage at the AFCON three times.
The first time both teams clashed in the group stage was in 1980 which ended goalless.
Both teams had to wait until the 1990 tournament before their paths crossed again in the group stage which Nigeria won 1-0.
Then in the group stage at the 2008 edition in Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire won 1-0 thanks to a Salomon Kalou solo effort.
