Ivory Coast vs Nigeria live score, updates, highlights & lineups from Africa Cup of Nations

Hosts Ivory Coast take on Nigeria in the second group stage match of Group A in the Africa Cup of Nations.

Ivory Coast come into this one on the back of a comfortable 2-0 win over Guinea-Bissau in the opening match of the tournament.

While Nigeria were held to a 1-1 draw with Equatorial Guinea. Victor Osimhen scored the only goal for the Super Eagles, and the Napoli striker will be the man to watch out for this evening.

Seko Fofana of Al Nassr scored a rocket to kick off Ivory Coast’s tournament and he is the main man in midfield for the hosts.

The Sporting News is following the match live and providing live score updates, commentary.

MORE: AFCON results, scores, group tables 

Ivory Coast vs Nigeria live score

Ivory Coast vs Nigeria live updates, highlights from AFCON

20 minutes until kickoff: A stat to watch out for tonight. If Seko Fofana or Jean-Philippe Krasso score, they could become the first player to find the back of the net in both of Ivory Coast’s opening two matches of an Africa Cup of Nations tournament since Gervinho and Yaya Toure  in 2013.

35 minutes until kickoff: Your Ivory Coast starting XI: Fofana (GK) — Aurier, Diomande, Ndicka, Konan — Kessie, Sangare, S. Fofana — Boga, Krasso, Kouame.

45 minutes until kickoff: Elsewhere in Group A, Equatorial Guinea briefly takes top spot as they beat Guinea Bissau 4-2 thanks to Emilio Nsue’s hat-trick.

🇬🇶 Equatorial Guinea 4-2 Guinea-Bissau 🇬🇼

Equatorial Guinea win the battle of the Guinea’s at #AFCON2023, thanks to 34-year-old Emilio Nsue’s hat-trick.

That hat-trick was the first scored at the AFCON since January 2008. pic.twitter.com/s3xn09cM8Z

— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) January 18, 2024

50 minutes until kickoff: Nigeria’s starting XI this evening: Nwabali (GK) — Aina, Troost-Ekong, Ajayi, Basey — Onyeka, Zaidu — Iwobi, Chukwueze, Lookman — Osimhen.

1 hour until kickoff: It should be a cracking atmosphere this evening. Team news is next…

The whole of Côte d’Ivoire 🇨🇮 heading to the stadium ahead of the Nigeria 🇳🇬 game. #IvoryCoast #AFCON #AFCON2024 #AFCON23 #CAN2023 #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 pic.twitter.com/aWlpTzP5DZ

— Pan-Africa Football (@PanAfricaFooty) January 18, 2024

1 hour 30 minutes until kickoff: Could we see Haller in action today? Ivory Coast manager Jean-Louis Gasset provided this update: “The decision to select him was always based on when he would be available and he joined the rest of the team in training and we are hopeful he will be fit.

“We will evaluate his progress and make a judgement on his participation for the match at the appropriate time.”

2 hours until kickoff: Who do you think takes this one? The Sporting News’ live blog coverage will take you right up to kick-off time. Stay tuned.

🇨🇮 Côte d’Ivoire 🆚 Nigeria 🇳🇬

Predictions? 🔥@1xBet_Eng | #CIVNGA | #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023

— CAF (@CAF_Online) January 18, 2024

Ivory Coast vs Nigeria lineups

Sebastien Haller is the only injury concern for Ivory Coast and the Borussia Dortmund striker misses out this evening.

Ivory Coast starting lineup (4-3-3, left to right): Fofana (GK) — Aurier, Diomande, Ndicka, Konan — Kessie, Sangare, S. Fofana — Boga, Krasso, Kouame.

Ivory Coast subs: Badra Sangare; Singo, Kossounou, Boly, Diallo, Seri, Diakite, Lazare, Pepe, Gradel, Bamba, Konate.

Nigeria will look to Victor Osimhen as their main man up top for them as Leicester’s Kelechi Iheanacho is carrying an injury and missed the first game. He may be fit enough to be involved in the squad from the bench.

Nigeria starting lineup (4-2-3-1, left to right): Nwabali (GK) — Aina, Troost-Ekong, Ajayi, Basey — Onyeka, Zaidu — Iwobi, Chukwueze, Lookman — Osimhen.

Nigeria subs: Nzuho, Musa, Aribo, Bruno, Osayi, Iheanacho, Simon, Onuachu, Omeruo, Awaziem, Onyedika

How to watch AFCON 2024?

Here’s how to watch AFCON 2024 matches across selected areas of the world’s major regions:

USA: The tournament will be available on beIN Sports with streaming options on Fubo.

Canada: BeIN Sports will provide broadcast coverage with Fubo Canada on streaming duty.

UK: Selected matches will be available on Sky Sports services with streaming available via Sky GO and Now TV. BBC Sport will also be covering designated games at the tournament.

Australia: BeIN Sports will provide broadcast coverage and streaming services for the tournament.

India: Streaming service FanCode is the place to go for AFCON 2024 matches.