The victory of the Super Eagles of Nigeria over the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations hosts Cote D’Ivoire remains a hot talking point in Abidjan, days after the high-voltage cracker and Ivorian legend Didier Zokora has added his thoughts.
A 55th-minute penalty converted by William Troost-Ekong decided the fate of the Group A’s second game that pulled over 49,000 spectators to the Alassane Ouattara Stadium.
While the outcome deflated optimism amongst many fans, former Tottenham midfielder and former Cote D’Ivoire captain Didier Zokora, is confident the Elephants will progress to the next round.
“Ivorians have not been able to get over that defeat. People are still lamenting but it is gone. We have to focus on the upcoming clash. Our players need support, energy, cheers and not tears, criticisms and quarrels,” Didier Zokora told ACLSports.
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Meetings involving both teams have always been fierce and unpredictable, with Cote D’Ivoire boasting three wins as opposed to two for Nigeria in their last five clashes.
“It was the main attraction of the group stage. Some pundits tagged the game as ‘the final before the real final’ and, personally, I think it delivered the expectations despite the result not favouring Cote D’Ivoire.
“It was intense and competitive and the suspense was high. It kept everyone guessing until the final whistle. That is what we call a good game,” he said.
However, Didier Zokora claims he is yet to be impressed by the man all eyes have been on in the tournament.
“Victor Osimhen is the one player everybody here is talking about. We wanted to see him make a splash right from the first game. However, we are still waiting to see that. The reigning Africa Footballer of the Year needs to show all and sundry that he did not earn that title for nothing.
“This is his competition. This is Africa and not Napoli. He is on every lips here. He needs to deliver. I believe Cote D’Ivoire and Nigeria will progress from the group stage to the next round, no matter the challenges in their final group games,” added Didier Zokora who had two AFCON silver medals during his playing career.
The Elephants (three points) will face Group A leaders Equatorial Guinea (four points) on Monday January 22 at 17H GMT while second-placed Nigeria (four points) will take on Guinea Bissau (zero points) simultaneously at the same time and date.
