Ivory Coast vs Nigeria LIVE! AFCON result, match stream and latest updates today

Ivory Coast vs Nigeria LIVE!

A huge match-up in the Africa Cup of Nations group stage took place in Abidjan as hosts Ivory Coast were defeated by three-time winners Nigeria. The Super Eagles improved on a poor opening result in the tournament, putting the pressure on the Ivorians ahead of the final round of Group A games.

Les Elephants were again without injured striker Sebastien Haller in their team after he missed their win over Guinea-Bissau, whereas changes were made by Nigeria following a draw against Equatorial Guinea. They switched formation and brought Samuel Chukwueze and Calvin Bassey into their starting line-up.

William Troost-Ekong's second-half penalty was the difference after Victor Osimhen was fouled by Ousmane Diomande, in an incident first spotted by VAR. Ivory Coast need a result in their final game to ensure they avoid an embarrassing early exit from their own AFCON.

Ivory Coast vs Nigeria highlights

• GOAL! Troost-Ekong penalty gives Nigeria lead

• Full time! Ivory Coast beaten by Super Eagles

Ready for more AFCON?

19:11 , Marc Mayo

Another massive match at the Cup of Nations rounds off today's coverage.

Egypt and Ghana face off in Group B after poor results for both to start their campaigns.

Follow the action live here!

Ivory Coast 0-1 Nigeria | Full time!

19:01 , Marc Mayo

The Super Eagles beat the hosts!

Ivory Coast 0-1 Nigeria | 90+9 mins

19:00 , Marc Mayo

Calvin Bassey has been immense tonight and he holds off Oumar Diakite on the Ivory Coast right wing to prevent the cross.

A long throw is cleared well.

Ivory Coast 0-1 Nigeria | 90+7 mins

18:59 , Marc Mayo

Balls pumped into the box with aplomb by the Ivorians but to no avail.

Ivory Coast 0-1 Nigeria | 90+6 mins

18:57 , Marc Mayo

Plenty of fans are making their way out of the ground as Paul Onuachu hits the deck to eat up some time for Nigeria.

Ivory Coast 0-1 Nigeria | 90+3 mins

18:54 , Marc Mayo

Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali booked for timewasting as Ivory Coast struggle to break down their defence.

On the counter, Moses Simon wins a throw high up the pitch.

Ivory Coast 0-1 Nigeria | 90 mins

18:52 , Marc Mayo

A big roar from the home fans as the board goes up for NINE added minutes!

Ivory Coast 0-1 Nigeria | 88 mins

18:49 , Marc Mayo

Victor Osimhen's race is run, he's replaced by towering Super Eagles forward Paul Onuachu.

Ivory Coast 0-1 Nigeria | 87 mins

18:48 , Marc Mayo

Ball clipped into the Nigeria box and Seko Fofana goes down more in hope than expectation. Goal kick.

Ivory Coast 0-1 Nigeria | 85 mins

18:46 , Marc Mayo

Another Ivory Coast change as Jean-Philippe Krasso is replaced by 19-year-old striker Karim Konate.

Ivory Coast 0-1 Nigeria | 84 mins

18:45 , Marc Mayo

Bright Osayi-Samuel leads a wonderful breakaway for the Super Eagles but he never looks up and plays in a teammate, before a strong challenge in the box wins the ball. Big waste, that.

Ivory Coast 0-1 Nigeria | 81 mins

18:43 , Marc Mayo

Good early burst Oumar Diakite but the young Reims winger's ball into the box is well dealt with by William Troost-Ekong after Nicolas Pepe takes over.

Ivory Coast 0-1 Nigeria | 80 mins

18:42 , Marc Mayo

Lovely defending by Frank Onyeka, back in his final third before using his body to win a foul.

Kenneth Omeruo on for Nigeria to strengthen the defence. Bright Osayi-Samuel on as well with Ademola Lookman and Zaidu Sanusi off.

Ivory Coast bring Oumar Diakite on for the left-back Ghislain Konan.

Ivory Coast 0-1 Nigeria | 78 mins

18:39 , Marc Mayo

The crowd is really upping the volume now with space for Ivory Coast to attack into, but the final ball is still not with the hosts.

Good work by Ademola Lookman to win a free-kick up the pitch.

Ivory Coast 0-1 Nigeria | 76 mins

18:37 , Marc Mayo

Evan Ndicka rises at the back post from a corner, it's a tough header outside the six-yard box and he powers it over.

Ivory Coast 0-1 Nigeria | 74 mins

18:35 , Marc Mayo

More energy from Ivory Coast as Nicolas Pepe forces the goalkeeper off his line in the box, before Seko Fofana wraps his foot around an effort that flashes wide.

Ivory Coast 0-1 Nigeria | 72 mins

18:33 , Marc Mayo

Samuel Chukwueze replaced by Moses Simon for fresh legs on Nigeria's flanks.

Ivory Coast 0-1 Nigeria | 70 mins

18:31 , Marc Mayo

Ibrahim Sangare fancies himself from a free-kick 30 yards out. A long run-up and his shot goes a long way over the bar.

Ivory Coast 0-1 Nigeria | 68 mins

18:30 , Marc Mayo

The home fans are growing restless, with thousands on their feet after Seko Fofana goes down in a tussle with Calvin Bassey. No foul.

Ivory Coast 0-1 Nigeria | 67 mins

18:28 , Marc Mayo

Weak header by Ousmane Diomande is flicked wide so now we will get those Ivory Coast substitutions.

A triple change as Nicolas Pepe, Jonathan Bamba and Wilfried Singo come on. Christian Kouame, Jeremy Boga and Serge Aurier off.

Ivory Coast 0-1 Nigeria | 65 mins

18:26 , Marc Mayo

Frank Onyeka flicks a corner over the bar for Nigeria and soon we will get a raft of changes from the AFCON hosts.

Ivory Coast 0-1 Nigeria | 62 mins

18:24 , Marc Mayo

Half a chance for Victor Osimhen as he gets in at the near-post from a long throw - but he can't stoop to direct a difficult one. Over.

Ivory Coast 0-1 Nigeria | 60 mins

18:21 , Marc Mayo

Early warnings to the Nigerian goalkeeper over possible timewasting.

A long time left to play in this one.

Ivory Coast 0-1 Nigeria | 57 mins

18:19 , Marc Mayo

Big test now for Les Elephants, who have struggled to break down Nigeria's 5-4-1 formation.

They have just over half an hour to grab what would be a valuable point.

Highlights: Nigeria take lead over Ivory Coast

18:18 , Marc Mayo

A powerful penalty from William Troost-Ekong.

GGGGOOOOAAALLLL!!! Ivory Coast 0-1 Nigeria | Troost-Ekong, 54'

18:16 , Marc Mayo

Yahia Fofana against William Troost-Ekong...

The Nigeria skipper, a centre-back remember, drills it into the back of the net!

THE SUPER EAGLES LEAD!

Penalty to Nigeria!

18:15 , Marc Mayo

It's the sort of penalty VAR has really been hot on, players going for the ball but arriving a split second behind before making contact with the attacker.

Ousmane Diomande is punished and Victor Osimhen has won a penalty for Nigeria!

Ivory Coast 0-0 Nigeria | 53 mins

18:14 , Marc Mayo

To the monitor! Time for our Algerian referee to decide on this big moment.

You'd fancy this to be given.

Ivory Coast 0-0 Nigeria | 52 mins

18:13 , Marc Mayo

Ousmane Diomande kicked the underside of Victor Osimhen's calf to leave him on the deck, will VAR have a look at that?

Ivory Coast 0-0 Nigeria | 51 mins

18:13 , Marc Mayo

Nigeria breach the Ivorians' box but Yahia Fofana opts to use his feet to clear, while Victor Osimhen is left in a heap on the ground.

Ivory Coast 0-0 Nigeria | 47 mins

18:08 , Marc Mayo

An early stoppage as Christian Kouame and Calvin Bassey clash heads.

The Nigerian has come off second best and needs patching up by a physio.

Ivory Coast 0-0 Nigeria | Kick-off!

18:06 , Marc Mayo

Back underway in this goalless match-up, with no changes at the break.

Second half coming up

18:04

The teams are making their way back to the pitch for the second half of Ivory Coast vs Nigeria.

End product lacking from Ivory Coast

17:59

The Ivorians know that a point will virtually guarantee them a place in the next round and perhaps are playing like it.

Faced with a low, five-man block from the Nigerians they are struggling to produce the magic to create chances.

Christian Kouame looks bright on the right wing but there has been very little from Jean-Philippe Krasso or Jeremy Boga.

Super Eagles probably the happier side

17:54 , Marc Mayo

A huddle from the Nigeria players before they head into the dressing rooms to take instruction from Jose Peseiro.

They will be happy with that half, with good solidity at the back and a couple of chances to open the scoring.

It's not been overly pretty from the Super Eagles but they know it is all about the result tonight.

Ivory Coast 0-0 Nigeria | Half time!

17:50 , Marc Mayo

All square in this Group A clash of the giants at AFCON.

Ivory Coast 0-0 Nigeria | 45 mins

17:47 , Marc Mayo

A corner drops to Zaidu Sanusi at the edge of the box - and he's going for it!

Whacked high and wide.

The board goes up for three added minutes.

Ivory Coast 0-0 Nigeria | 42 mins

17:44 , Marc Mayo

A Mexican Wave breaks out in the crowd, which is a bit of a sign of the fare on the pitch, but Franck Kessie draws a roar of excitement with a run into the final third.

The ball goes out wide before Jeremy Boga's cross is well dealt with by Nigeria.

Ivory Coast 0-0 Nigeria | 40 mins

17:42 , Marc Mayo

We're drifting towards half-time with neither side managing to put together any serious, continual pressure since early in the game.

Ivory Coast 0-0 Nigeria | 37 mins

17:38 , Marc Mayo

The Super Eagles want a penalty as Semi Ajayi heads over a corner...

It did hit a hand! A Nigerian one.

Ajayi punched the ball over, replays show. No penalty.

Ivory Coast 0-0 Nigeria | 35 mins

17:37 , Marc Mayo

Good work by Ousmane Diomande to pick out Alex Iwobi's ball into Victor Osimhen.

Best player in Africa, yes, but it's a little bit obvious from Nigeria in lumping balls up for Osimhen to chase at this point.

Ivory Coast's defenders are more than capable of dealing with such routine efforts.

Ivory Coast 0-0 Nigeria | 32 mins

17:33 , Marc Mayo

Seko Fofana tries his luck from all of 35 yards and it's a good hit, on target and palmed away by Stanley Nwabali.

Christian Kouame is first to the rebound but the flag goes up.

Ivory Coast 0-0 Nigeria | 30 mins

17:32 , Marc Mayo

Jean-Philippe Krasso bursts into the box and William Troost-Ekong is there to clear into touch... but the Nigeria captain limps away after a bit of a collision and the physio is called on.

Ivory Coast 0-0 Nigeria | 27 mins

17:28 , Marc Mayo

Let's take a quick look at the Group A table as we get back underway in Abidjan.

A draw here may well be just enough for both teams, with Nigeria then having to beat a Guinea-Bissau side that big things are not expected of.

Ivory Coast 0-0 Nigeria | 25 mins

17:27 , Marc Mayo

Time for the cooling break at the midway point of the half.

Ivory Coast 0-0 Nigeria | 22 mins

17:24 , Marc Mayo

The game has turned a little bit scrappy since that flurry of chances, Nigeria getting in amongst Les Elephants in a bid to show they are up for it - and a few fouls conceded as a result.

Both teams then break into the opposition boxes but the defences come out on top.

Ivory Coast 0-0 Nigeria | 19 mins

17:21 , Marc Mayo

Fresh injury worry for Nigeria as Zaidu Sanusi is down after a challenge from Franck Kessie by the technical area.

Looks like he'll return to the action, though.

Ivory Coast 0-0 Nigeria | 16 mins

17:17 , Marc Mayo

CHANCE!

First shot on target Ivory Coast as Seko Fofana's looping cross is cut back to Evan Ndicka... probably the wrong man in the right place as the defender hits a tame effort straight at the goalkeeper.

Ivory Coast 0-0 Nigeria | 13 mins

17:14 , Marc Mayo

Samuel Chukwueze is causing all kinds of issues for the hosts with his deliveries, and another leads to Nigeria's first corner of the game.

Calvin Bassey nearly gets a head on it, but Ivory Coast clear to win a foul.

Ivory Coast 0-0 Nigeria | 12 mins

17:13 , Marc Mayo

Another corner for Ivory Coast and Nigeria are leaving a couple of men in attack, clearly looking to attack quickly with pace.

A fast ball forward is well dealt with by Serge Aurier.

Ivory Coast 0-0 Nigeria | 10 mins

17:11 , Marc Mayo

CHANCE!

Victor Osimhen sent in behind by a lovely ball through the middle by Samuel Chukwueze, but the Nigeria striker slaps a left-footed shot across goal and too high!

Quickly up the other end, an error allows Christian Kouame to run at goal and Ivory Coast have to settle for a corner. The keeper comes for it... and gathers eventually.

Ivory Coast 0-0 Nigeria | 7 mins

17:09 , Marc Mayo

Early pressure from the Ivorians, Nigeria sat defensively in a 5-4-1 with Victor Osimhen left up front.

Ivory Coast 0-0 Nigeria | 4 mins

17:06 , Marc Mayo

Frank Onyeka fires the first shot on the game off target from outside the D.

Early stoppage soon afterwards as Calvin Bassey is hurt.

Just a collision with a teammate, he's back in play.

Ivory Coast 0-0 Nigeria | 2 mins

17:04 , Marc Mayo

The formations becoming apparent in the early stages with a three-man backline for Ivory Coast and Calvin Bassey indeed in central defence for Nigeria.

It was suggested he would be in central midfield, which would have been a very odd decision by Jose Peseiro.

Ivory Coast vs Nigeria | Kick-off!

17:02 , Marc Mayo

Here we go!

A huge AFCON clash in Abidjan and Nigeria, in white, get the ball going.

Man in the middle

17:00 , Marc Mayo

A big Ivory Coast flag is unfurled in one end of the stadium, although it is partly over a section of Nigeria fans who naturally aren't helping to stretch it out!

The two captains, Serge Aurier and William Troost-Ekong, undertake the final pre-match duties with our referee Mustapha Gorbhal of Algeria.

Time for the national anthems

16:57 , Marc Mayo

The anthem of Nigeria, 'Arise, O Compatriots', is first up and sung well by the players and pockets of away fans.

Then the hosts switch up the volume with 'L'Abidjanaise'.

Here come the players!

16:55 , Marc Mayo

A raucous reception greets the Ivory Coast and Nigeria teams.

Ivory Coast vs Nigeria | Countdown to kick-off

16:50 , Marc Mayo

This is your ten-minute warning.

Are you sitting comfortably? This is surely the biggest game of this year's AFCON group stage.

Brentford star has high hopes for Nigeria

16:45 , Marc Mayo

Frank Onyeka will once again take his place in the Super Eagles midfield this evening.

And the Brentford midfielder has outlined his ambitions for AFCON in an interview with his club's media.

"We want to win it,” he said. “We have such a good team, such a good squad, so we are going there to win it. That’s the ambition for the players, the coach and the federation. Let’s go there and win it.

“No games are easy when it comes to African football. It’s not an easy group and we’ll need to fight our way out.

“We’re representing our country – more than 200 million people. Growing up, this is something you want to do. Putting on that shirt is big.”

Ivory Coast vs Nigeria | Countdown to kick-off

16:40 , Marc Mayo

Kick-off is only 20 minutes away and the Ivorian fans are making for a great atmosphere in Abidjan as the warm-ups get into full flow.

Throwback: Nigeria stun Ivory Coast in 2013 AFCON

16:35 , Marc Mayo

Les Elephants were expected to go all the way a decade ago but were dumped out of the quarter-finals by a Super Eagles side which went to lift the trophy in South Africa.

Head-to-head record

16:32 , Marc Mayo

Ivory Coast have the slight edge on head-to-head record, having won each of the last two meetings between the two nations - a 2015 friendly and at the 2013 African Nations Championship.

Ivory Coast wins: 9

Nigeria wins: 8

Draws: 10

Neither of these teams top Group A...

16:27 , Marc Mayo

The early result in this double-header in Abidjan saw Equatorial Guinea romp past Guinea-Bissau.

Emilio Nsue's hat-trick sent the central Africans top of Group A on four points.

They will be some match for Ivory Coast in the final matchday, with that result upping the pressure on both of our teams in this game.

Sebastien Haller out as Ivory Coast also recall Serie A winger

16:22 , Marc Mayo

Christian Kouame of Fiorentina is introduced to the Ivorians' XI for this one as Sebastien Haller again misses out through injury.

Simon Adingra is also absent from the squad despite returning to training.

Jonathan Bamba drops to the bench along with Wilfried Singo, who is replaced by Serge Aurier in the other of two changes from the win over Guinea-Bissau.

The Ivory Coast team is out!

16:14 , Marc Mayo

Ivory Coast XI: Y. Fofana; Aurier, Diomande, Ndicka, Konan; Kessie, Sangare, S. Fofana; Boga, Krasso, Kouame

Subs: Seri, Singo, Kossounou, Bamba, Konate, Boly, Diakite, Gradel, Pepe, B. A. Sangare, Diallo, Amani

Nigeria welcome Samuel Chukwueze back into XI

16:10 , Marc Mayo

The AC Milan star was a surprise omission from their first game but he returns in what looks like a 3-4-3 formation today.

Calvin Bassey slots in for the injured Alhassan Yusuf, with Moses Simon benched for Samuel Chukwueze.

How Nigeria line up

16:04 , Marc Mayo

Nigeria XI: Nwabali; Troost-Ekong, Ajayi, Bassey; Aina, Onyeka, Iwobi, Sanusi; Chukwueze, Osimhen, Lookman

Subs: Moffi, Uzoho, Musa, Aribo, Samuel, Onyemaechi, Iheanacho, Simon, Onuachu, Awaziem, Omeruo, Nwadike

Ivory Coast vs Nigeria | Countdown to kick-off

16:00 , Marc Mayo

One hour until kick-off now as Equatorial Guinea and Guinea-Bissau play out injury time on the pitch.

Today's venue

15:53 , Marc Mayo

The newly-built Alassane Ouattara Stadium is the home of almost all of Group A's games as well as the final.

A 60,000-seater situated on the outskirts of Abidjan, it was designed and largely built by Chinese firms as part of Ivory Coast's partnership with the Asian nation.

It held over 36,000 fans for the Ivorians' opening game, a number likely to be topped this evening.

Scores of fans heading to the stadium

15:44 , Marc Mayo

A sea of orange as the Ivory Coast supporters flock towards Alassane Ouattara Stadium!

Famous face drops by the Nigeria camp

15:37 , Marc Mayo

Jay-Jay Okocha graced the Super Eagles with his presence yesterday as they prepared for this game.

The Nigeria legend won the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations with his country, starting in midfield for the 2-1 victory over Zambia in the final.

Ivory Coast vs Nigeria | Countdown to kick-off

15:32 , Marc Mayo

We have 90 minutes until the 90 minutes gets underway in Abidjan.

Team news expected out shortly!

Ivory Coast vs Nigeria match odds

15:24 , Marc Mayo

Ivory Coast to win: 11/10

Nigeria to win: 14/5

Draw: 15/8

Odds via Betfair (subject to change).

Quickfire double in the other Group A game

15:18 , Marc Mayo

Equatorial Guinea have launched into an early two-goal lead in the early game.

Josete Miranda netted after the half-time break before Emilio Nsue's second of the game.

This is a bad result for Nigeria in particular, who would be left third in the group unless they can win this evening's game.

But it would at least leave Guinea-Bissau staring down the barrel of an exit on zero points, leaving a route into the last-16 as a best third-placed team more open for Ivory Coast and the Super Eagles.

Will Sebastien Haller be fit for Ivory Coast?

15:05 , Marc Mayo

An ankle injury has left Sebastien Haller a doubt for Ivory Coast's biggest group game of the Cup of Nations, after the poster boy for this edition of the tournament missed the opener.

"We are on track with Sebastien Haller," coach Jean-Louis Gasset told reporters ahead of today's game.

"The decision to select him was always based on when he would be available and he joined the rest of the team in training and we are hopeful he will be fit.

"We will evaluate his progress and make a judgement on his participation for the match at the appropriate time."

Injured for the win over Guinea-Bissau, Haller was spotted in the stands amongst the Ivorian fans.

Elsewhere at AFCON today

14:58 , Marc Mayo

It's a double-header at Alassane Ouattara Stadium with the other Group A game, between Equatorial Guinea and Guinea-Bissau, now at half time.

And it's 1-1 after Guinea-Bissau levelled through an own goal before a decision to award them a penalty was overturned by VAR.

Ivory Coast and Nigeria play at the same venue in just a couple of hours, before another big game in Group B at 8pm between Egypt and Ghana, which takes place at Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium.

Ivory Coast vs Nigeria score prediction

14:50

It wasn't the flashiest of performances from Ivory Coast against Guinea-Bissau, but they did more than enough to win with two very well-taken goals and will have gained huge confidence from that.

Backed by a passionate home crowd, Jean-Louis Gasset's side are a force to be reckoned with and have now scored 19 goals in their last five games, having hit the Seychelles for nine in a World Cup qualifier in November and also put five past Sierra Leone in their first warm-up friendly for AFCON.

Nigeria still boast a very strong squad despite seeing another continental campaign impacted heavily from the outset by injuries, but they very much flattered to deceive against Equatorial Guinea.

They have not won any of their last four matches now after losing to Guinea before the tournament and drawing World Cup qualifiers with minnows Lesotho and Zimbabwe, with pressure mounting on Portuguese head coach Jose Peseiro.

Ivory Coast to win, 1-0.

How we reckon the Super Eagles could start

14:45

Predicted Nigeria XI: Nwabili; Aina, Troost-Ekong, Ajayi, Sanusi; Onyeka, Aribo; Iwobi, Chukwueze, Lookman; Osimhen

Early Nigeria team news

14:38

Nigeria 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.

Ndidi's replacement against Equatorial Guinea was Alhassan Yusuf, with the Royal Antwerp midfielder enjoying a strong Nigeria debut that was ended prematurely by injury as he was stretchered off and ruled out of this second game.

Kelechi Iheanacho and Umar's replacement Paul Onuachu were both on the bench on Sunday after their late arrivals to the tournament, while Terem Moffi will also come into contention having missed the opener after agreeing a late departure from Nice.

Iheanacho insists he is fit after an injury scare, while AC Milan winger Samuel Chukwueze will hope to come in after being surprisingly restricted to a second-half cameo against Equatorial Guinea.

What we reckon for the hosts' line-up

14:33

Predicted Ivory Coast XI: Y. Fofana; Singo, Diomande, Ndicka, Konan; Kessie, Sangare, S. Fofana; Boga, Haller, Adingra

Early Ivory Coast team news

14:25 , Marc Mayo

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.

Brighton's Simon Adingra also sat out that opening contest with a muscle issue, though he has since returned to training.

Where to watch Ivory Coast vs Nigeria

14:17 , Marc Mayo

TV channel: In the UK, today's massive Group A game will be televised live on Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Main Event, with coverage beginning at 4:55pm GMT ahead of a 5pm kick-off.

Live stream: Sky Sports subscribers can also watch the contest live online via the Sky Go app.

Ivory Coast vs Nigeria LIVE!

14:10 , Marc Mayo

Hello and welcome to Standard Sport's coverage of Ivory Coast vs Nigeria!

This is arguably the biggest contest of the group stage at this year's Africa Cup of Nations, pitting the hosts against the three-time winners - both of whom are giants of the continent's game.

Kick-off from Alassane Ouattara Stadium comes at 5pm GMT.

Stay tuned right here for all the build-up, team news, match action and reaction!