In the aftermath of Nigeria’s 1-0 triumph over Ivory Coast in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, 1994 Africa Cup of Nations-winning midfielder Austin Okocha commended the Super Eagles for their stellar performance. The victory, secured through skipper William Troost-Ekong’s penalty, places the three-time African champions in a favorable position to advance to the round of 16 with 4 points, matching table-toppers Equatorial Guinea’s standing.

Expressing his thoughts post-match, Okocha praised José Peseiro’s team, emphasizing the significance of the hard-fought win. “It was an important victory for us. It puts us in a very good position,” Okocha conveyed to Sportblog247.com. He acknowledged the challenges of facing the host nation but lauded the Super Eagles for displaying character and securing a deserved victory.

Looking ahead, Okocha stressed that Nigeria must avoid a loss in their upcoming match against Guinea-Bissau to confirm their spot in the next round. Despite Ivory Coast’s defeat, Okocha maintained a positive outlook for the host nation, stating, “They still have a good chance of going far in the tournament.” He attributed the pressure on the hosts to the desire to win in style, expressing the belief that a defeat could serve as a catalyst for improvement.

In closing, Okocha highlighted the unpredictable nature of football, stating, “It is football, and you know anything is possible in football.” He suggested that a defeat might be a necessary wake-up call for a team, enabling them to bounce back and correct mistakes. With the Elephants holding 3 points, hope remains alive for their advancement as they face Equatorial Guinea in their last group-stage encounter on Monday evening.