((STREAMS>)) Nigeria vs Ivory Coast Live Broadcast Free 18 January 2024 Today
Ivory Coast vs Nigeria live stream: How to watch AFCON 2023 online. Host nation Ivory Coast will be looking to register back-to-back wins in the Africa Cup of Nations when they face Nigeria in the second round of group games at the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpe on Thursday.
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Jean-Louis Gasset's side got their tournament off to an awesome start as they beat Guinea-Bissau 2-0 in the opening match, while Nigeria had to settle for a point in a 1-1 draw against Equatorial Guinea.
A victory for the hosts would ensure them a place in the knockout stage of the competition.
Ivory Coast vs Nigeria live stream, date, time, channels
The Ivory Coast vs Nigeria live stream takes place on Thursday, January 18.
Time 5 p.m. GMT / 12 p.m. ET / 9 a.m. PT / 4 a.m. AEDT (Jan. 19)
FREE — SABC Plus (South Africa)
U.K. — Sky Sports
U.S. — beIN Sports via SlingTV, Fubo or Fanatiz
Watch anywhere
Less than a week into the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and the Ivory Coast already have the chance to secure a place in the knockout stages. They take on the struggling Super Eagles at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan on Thursday.
A win on Thursday would take the Elephants through as group toppers, which would give them a preferential draw in the last 16 against a team finishing third place in their pool. But, realistically, even a draw should suffice to take Ivory Coast through to the next stage.
The same can't be said for Nigeria, who fluffed their lines at the first time of asking against Equatorial Guinea. After unexpectedly falling behind, it took the recently crowned African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen to draw the Super Eagles level. And although they mustered a total of 19 shots on goal, they were unable to kill off the minnows whose goalkeeper Jesus Owono had an inspired game.
These two sides haven't met for nine years, but it's Nigeria who will have the fonder memories of their last AFCON encounter in 2013 — the Super Eagles were on the winning end of a close 2-1 in the quarter finals, on their way to lifting the trophy.
After an impressive win in their opening game against Guinea-Bissau, thanks to goals from Seko Fofana and Jean-Philippe Krasso, the Ivory Coast now have the chance to secure a statement victory that would virtually ensure their place in the knockout stages. The odds certainly appear in their favor as host nations have only lost one of their last 38 group stages games at the AFCON.
While the Elephants will be full of confidence, Nigeria may well be feeling the pressure after being held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by Equatorial Guinea in their Group A opener. The Super Eagles know they will have to deliver a much-improved display in this crucial fixture and will be hoping that star striker Victor Osimhen can provide a serious goal threat. The forward had been struggling for Napoli in recent weeks but equalised against Equatorial Guinea and has an impressive record for his nation, scoring 21 goals in just 27 games.
Tournament hosts Ivory Coast take on Group A rivals Nigeria on Thursday in one of AFCON 2023's most eagerly anticipated pool stage matchups.
The Ivorians got their tournament off to a winning start on Sunday with a convincing 2-0 win over Guinea-Bissau in their opening fixture, thanks to goals from Seko Fofana and Jean-Philippe Krasso.
The Nigerians, meanwhile, kicked off their campaign with a disappointing draw against tournament outsiders Equatorial Guinea, with Super Eagles star Victor Osimhen's first-half header canceling out Iván Salvador's goal.
That unexpected result has placed increased pressure on Nigeria ahead of what already looked on paper to be their most challenging group stage fixture.
Borussia Dortmund forward Sebastian Haller remains a doubt after missing the opening game due to an ankle problem.
However, Jean-Philippe Krasso made the best of leading the attack as a Crvena zvezda forward joined Seko Fofana among the goals at the weekend.
With Ibrahim Sangare and skipper Franck Kessie alongside Fofana in the middle, Ousmane Diomande is set for his second international cap following his debut in the Guinea-Bissau win.
Forced off in the game against Equatorial Guinea, midfielder Alhassan Yusuf is a big doubt for Thursday's game as Southampton's Joe Aribo is in line as a possible replacement alongside Frank Onyeka and Alex Iwobi.
Victor Osimhen will look to score in consecutive games in a three-man frontline that would also consist of Moses Simon and Ademola Lookman. The back four of Ola Aina, Semi Ajayi, William Troost-Ekong and Zaidu Sanusi are likely to remain the same.
The hosts shook off any pre-AFCON nerves to make a solid start on home soil in Abidjan on Saturday night, following the opening ceremony with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Guinea-Bissau secured courtesy of an early goal from Seko Fofana and Jean-Philippe Krasso's second-half effort.
Injury-hit Nigeria couldn't follow suit in their own Group A opener on Sunday, held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by giant-killers Equatorial Guinea as they needed a quick-fire equaliser from star striker Victor Osimhen to spare embarrassment and failed to take advantage of their other chances.
Ivory Coast were without Sebastien Haller against Guinea-Bissau, with the Borussia Dortmund striker still struggling with an ankle injury. He remains a doubt for this one.
Nigeria, meanwhile, were hit by a number of injuries before the tournament, losing key players including Bayer Leverkusen forward Victor Boniface and Leicester midfielder Wilfred Ndidi.
They are also without the likes of Nottingham Forest's Taiwo Awoniyi and Sadiq Umar, who has caused confusion by already returning to action with club Real Sociedad after being ruled out of AFCON only last week with a knee injury sustained in the warm-up defeat by Guinea.
The tournament hosts face the Super Eagles on home turf having won their first match of the competition with a 2-0 victory against Guinea-Bissau on Saturday, 13 January. Nigeria, meanwhile, were subject to a disappointing draw and will be keen to bounce back with a win which would see them potentially leapfrog the Elephants into top spot in their group.
Star striker Victor Osimhen scored in Nigeria’s opening match and is set to lead the line once again in a clash between two of the most successful sides in the history of AFCON. Nigeria have won three titles in their history but are without a crown since 2013 and will be keen for what is arguably one of the tournament’s strongest squads to put recent disappointments behind them.
Ivory Coast’s golden generation of the 2010s saw them claiming glory in 2015, but a new crop of talent has emerged since then. Their midfield in particular provides cause for optimism, with Ibrahim Sangare, Franck Kessie and Seko Fofana forming a classy trio which will hope to power the hosts to victory.
The last time the two met at an AFCON tournament saw Nigeria emerge as 2-1 victors back in 2013 as they won a quarter-final clas en route to glory. Should they enjoy a similar result then it could bode well for a positive tournament for coach Jose Peseiro.