William Troost-Ekong’s penalty has earned the Super Eagles a crucial win over host Ivory Coast Thursday in Group A in the Africa Cup of Nations.

The victory has given the Super Eagles a huge step towards reaching the last 16 at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

The match’s key moment came in the 55th minute after Ousmane Diomande caught Victor Osimhen in the box.

That allowed William Troost-Ekong to blast home from the penalty spot.

Roared on by a raucous crowd, the Ivorians pushed hard for an equaliser but failed to create a clear chance against a solid Super Eagles defence.

Nigeria leapfrog the Elephants to go second in Group A and are behind leaders Equatorial Guinea, who beat Guinea-Bissau 4-2 earlier on Thursday, on head-to-head record.