Hosts Ivory Coast are threatened with an early exit from the Africa Cup of Nations after a narrow defeat against Nigeria.
Without the two Bundesliga professionals Sébastien Haller (Borussia Dortmund) and Odilon Kossounou (Bayer Leverkusen), the Ivorians lost 0-1 (0-0) against Nigeria on Thursday (January 18, 2024) and slipped to third place in Group A.
On Monday (6 p.m.) the two-time Africa Cup winners will face their last group opponent Equatorial Guinea, who lead the table ahead of Nigeria. William Troost-Ekong scored the goal for the “Super Eagles” with a penalty kick in the 55th minute in front of 49,000 spectators in Abidjan.
Osimhen takes the penalty
Superstar Victor Osimhen had previously been fouled by Italian champions SSC Napoli. Haller was again not in the squad, Kossounou was on the bench for 90 minutes. This means that the two professionals could soon be back at their clubs. In the opening game, Ivory Coast won 2-0 against Guinea-Bissau.
Salah injured in the thigh – Egypt only draw
Superstar Mohamed Salah was injured at the Africa Cup of Nations and was unable to prevent the next setback for seven-time title holders Egypt.
Liverpool FC’s top scorer had to be substituted shortly before half-time in the 2-2 (0-1) draw against Ghana in Abidjan on Thursday. Salah grabbed the back of his thigh and signaled that it was no longer possible.
Frankfurter Marmoush hits
The Frankfurt Bundesliga professional Omar Marmoush (69th) and Mostafa Mohamed (74th) saved Egypt a point after Mohammed Kudus (45th + 3 and 71st) had put Ghana in the lead twice.
Egypt only has two points after two games at the finals in Ivory Coast and has to worry about progressing in Group B. At the end of the preliminary round we face league leaders Cape Verde on Monday.