The reliable bookmaker 1xBet talks about the CAN second-round central match, where the tournament hosts will compete with the powerful Nigerian national team.
Côte d'Ivoire: welcome like a host
Before the group stage, bookmakers called Côte d'Ivoire the CAN’s main favorite. The championship hosts have assembled a strong team with only one goal - to return the coveted trophy to their homeland. Since their triumph in 2015, Les Éléphants have never advanced beyond the quarter-finals and are now looking to right this wrong.
The Ivorians automatically qualified for the tournament but still played in the qualifiers, finishing second in their group. In six matches, the team scored 13 points and suffered the only defeat from the group winner, Zambia.
The competition hosts outlined their ambitions already in the first game with Guinea-Bissau. Jean-Louis Gasset's squad controlled the match and calmly brought it to a 2-0 victory. Al Nassr's star midfielder Seko Fofana and forward Jean-Philippe Krasso from Red Star Belgrade scored the goals. An unforgettable atmosphere at the stadium was created by the fans, who sang and danced in the stands in colorful national costumes.
The real test will come to Côte d'Ivoire in the second round, where they face the Nigerian national team, led by Victor Osimhen, enraged by the loss of points against Equatorial Guinea.
Nigeria: hope for the stars
Nigeria is traditionally one of the main CAN’s favorites. It is the 20th tournament for the African football grand, and they have won three of them. The last time the Super Eagles lifted the coveted trophy was 11 years ago when the legendary team led by Emmanuel Emenike, Victor Moses, and John Obi Mikel beat Burkina Faso in the final. Since then, Nigeria has reached the championship semi-finals only once, which can be considered a failure for a country with such a strong football tradition.
The squad demonstrated its strength in qualifying, where the Super Eagles confidently won the group, and Victor Osimhen became the top scorer with 10 goals. According to the authoritative resource Transfermarkt, the Nigerian leader is the most expensive player in the Africa Cup of Nations.
It seemed that the playing condition of the Napoli forward, supported by Milan star Samuel Chukwueze and other famous partners, would leave no chance for Equatorial Guinea in the CAN's first round. However, the outsider could surprise the Nigerians and even force Jose Peseiro's squad to recoup. Osimhen, of course, saved the team after Iban Salvador's goal, completing the pass from Atalanta player Ademola Lookman.
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After an unexpected misfire, the Nigerians worsened their chances of qualifying from the group, and defeat by the tournament hosts in the second round could be fatal. The game promises to be unpredictable, so the odds are as high as possible. Don't miss the opportunity to make money on a top match with the profitable HOT Steak promo from the reliable bookmaker 1xBet. Make predictions for your favorite team with the Africa Cup of Nations official sponsor - 1xBet!