Boastful Elephants of Ivory Coast got more than what they bargained for when they were outplayed and outgunned by Nigeria’s Super Eagles this evening in the quarter-final of the 29th Africa Cup of Nations at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg, South Africa.
It was a game in which the Nigerians stunned the favourites, displaying remarkable ball control and predatory instincts. Playing their best game of the tournament, the Super Eagles dominated the match and came close to scoring a number of times.
Reliable striker Emmanuel Emenike, who accounted for Nigeria’s two goals in their first two matches against Zambia and Burkina Faso, broke the deadlock in the 42nd minute with a ferocious shot that sailed straight into the Ivorian net.
On the restart, Cheik Tiote leveled scores for the Ivorians in the 49th minute off a Didier Drogba corner but Sunday Mbah, one of the home-based players Nigeria marshaled out by Coach Stephen Keshi, powered home the winner in the 76th minute.
The star-studded Ivorians had boasted about how they would roast Nigeria but it turned out to be the opposite.
Burkina Faso and Togo will clash in the last quarter-final match later this evening.
Yesterday, Ghana had overcome Cape Verde 2-0 while Mali beat hosts South Africa 4-2after penalty shootouts to qualify for Wednesday’s semi-finals.
