At 6 p.m. WAT today, the Super Eagles will gain further insight into their prospects of securing a fourth African Cup of Nations title.

Jose Peseiro’s squad encountered a 1-1 draw with Equatorial Guinea in their inaugural match last Sunday, leaving fans and pundits disappointed considering Nigeria's potential to overcome the Central African opponents. Unfortunately, a combination of injuries and poor finishing resulted in the Eagles earning only one point.

This Thursday evening, they face a formidable challenge against the host nation. The Ivorians won their opening fixture 2-0 against Guinea-Bissau and aim to secure a second victory to advance to the knockout stages. Sebastien Haller was absent in the game against Guinea-Bissau due to an ankle injury, while Brighton’s Simon Adingra missed out on it due to a muscle issue. The availability of these key attackers against Nigeria remains uncertain.

Jose Peseiro has confirmed Alhassan Yusuf's unavailability for the match, as he limped off in the previous encounter with Equatorial Guinea. Despite this setback, Peseiro still has viable options, with Kelechi Iheanacho in good form and Terem Moffi settled in the team.

Backed by a passionate home crowd, Jean-Louis Gasset’s Ivorian side poses a significant challenge for Nigeria. Overcoming this hurdle is imperative for the Super Eagles if they harbor aspirations of reclaiming continental glory.