Ivory Coast vs Nigeria: AFCON prediction, kick-off time, TV, live stream, team news, h2h results, odds today

Ivory Coast and Nigeria go head to head in a blockbuster clash at the Africa Cup of Nations today.

The hosts shook off any pre-AFCON nerves to make a solid start on home soil in Abidjan on Saturday night, following the opening ceremony with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Guinea-Bissau secured courtesy of an early goal from Seko Fofana and Jean-Philippe Krasso’s second-half effort.

Injury-hit Nigeria couldn’t follow suit in their own Group A opener on Sunday, held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by giant-killers Equatorial Guinea as they needed a quick-fire equaliser from star striker Victor Osimhen to spare embarrassment and failed to take advantage of their other chances.

The Super Eagles know they will have to improve sharply here in what is set to be a decisive heavyweight fixture in the battle to win the group.

Date, kick-off time and venue
Ivory Coast vs Nigeria is scheduled for a 5pm GMT kick-off today on Thursday January 18, 2024.

The match will take place at Alassane Ouattara Stadium – AKA the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpe – in Abidjan.

Where to watch Ivory Coast vs Nigeria
TV channel: In the UK, today’s game will be televised live on Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Main Event, with coverage beginning at around 4:55pm.

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

Live blog: You can follow all the AFCON action today via Standard Sport’s live blog.

Ivory Coast vs Nigeria team news
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.

Nigeria, meanwhile, 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.