FOOTBALL Live

Monday January 21, 2008 Finished Essipong Stadium

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Nigeria

Ivory Coast

  • Kalou 66’

  • Live Commentary

    Time:90'
    • Nigeria
    • Ivory Coast
    • - Thanks for joining me this afternoon; make sure you stick around for the third and final match of the day from Ghana, Mali v Benin.
    • 93 FULL-TIME: Ivory Coast earn a deserved victory thanks to Kalou's superb solo goal, taking the lead in Group B. Nigeria look strong enough to get the results they need in their other two group fixtures, but they have work to do.
    • 93 CLOSE! Kalou fires a shot just wide from the edge of the box.
    • 91 Kalou plays a neat one-two with Yaya Toure as he tries to get round the back of the Nigeria defence down the left...he wins a corner when his low cross is turned behind.
    • 89 Taye Taiwo fires in a scuffed shot from the corner of the box...it runs harmlessly wide, just a few feet in front of Martins on the penalty spot.
    • 88 Taye Taiwo's low cross is cut out at the near post as Nigeria try desperately to get something out of the game...in truth, Ivory Coast just look too organised at the back to allow this to slip.
    • 86 Bakari Kone replaces Drogba as Ivory Coast freshen up for the final minutes.
    • 85 Keita's cross-shot is dreadful, sliced high over the bar; a greedy waste with men waiting in the middle.
    • 83 Taye Taiwo is booked for tripping Obafemi Martins as Nigeria tried to break down the right.
    • 82 GOOD BLOCK! Fine block from Dan Shittu, who tracks the run of Drogba before blocking his drive towards the near post from ten yards out. Drogba tries to gee-up the crowd for the remaining minutes.
    • 80 Stephen Makinwa comes on for Nigeria, replacing Yakubu, who doesn't seem entirely pleased with the decision.
    • 79 Kiete's cross from the right is inches from being met by Dindane at the back post...he gets to his feet claiming a penalty for a push...no doing says the referee.
    • 77 Obi Mikel has been a disappointment for Nigeria; he has been unable to stamp his authority on the game in midfield.
    • 75 Peter Odemwingie almost makes an immediate impact as he cuts in from the right, although his shot from the corner of the box is deflected out for a throw on the other side of the pitch.
    • 73 Nigeria sub: Utaka is replaced by Peter Odemwingie. Berti Vogts is rolling the dice.
    • 71 GREAT TURN! Drogba shows a superb touch to spin his marker, 35 yards from goal, although his effort on goal is weak and easily blocked on the edge of the penalty area.
    • 69 SHOCKING MISS! Keite, a half-time sub for Gohouri, shows good strength to hold off Onyekachi Apam, although he then fires well wide from a narrow angle, six yards out. He should have worked the keeper there, at the very least after superbly holding off his man to get in a decent position.
    • 68 That really was a superb piece of skill from the little forward, darting between two Nigeria challenges before calmly firing past Austin Ejide; how can Nigeria respond?
    • 66 GOAL! KALOU MAGIC! Ivory Coast take the lead when Chelsea star Kalou dances through two challenges before rifling a low shot under the goalkeeper!
    • 66 After a slow start to the second half, the game has come alive again; we might have a goal in this yet...
    • 64 Dan Shittu again heads a free-kick tamely goalwards at the back post when a header across the face of goal to an awaiting team-mate would have been the better option.
    • 62 Brave goalkeeping from Austin Ejide, who dives at the feet of Dindane, attempting to get on the end of Yaya Toure's clever reverse pass into the penalty area.
    • 61 GREAT CHANCE! Finally, Martins is able to get in behind the Ivory Coast defence as he sprints onto a through-ball; the ball is on his weaker right-side, but his shot from 12 yards is well struck...Barry comes out and saves well.
    • 59 GREAT SAVE! Austin Ejide gets down low to save Kolo Toure's effort; the defender was allowed the time and space to pull down a corner at the back post before firing in a fierce low shot.
    • 58 Drogba chases a long pass over the top; he holds the ball up well and wins his side a throw, but he doesn't look happy. He has had no chance to do anything thus far; no crosses to feed on or chances to use his pace.
    • 57 Onyekachi Okonkwo comes on to replace Kanu, who has been fairly ineffective anyway, even before his injury.
    • 55 Kanu is down and needs treatment. He is taken off on a stretcher, although doesn't look in too much pain.
    • 53 More of the same in the second half...the Ivory Coast defence backs off and backs off as Nigeria break, forming a solid defensive line...Kanu has no option but to shoot from distance...again high and wide.
    • 50 GOOD DEFENDING! A pass over the top bounces kindly for Martins; Toure is a little slow coming across as Martins looks to get his shot away, but the Arsenal defender does eventually nick the ball from the feet of the striker.
    • 49 Dan Shittu heads wide from a tight angle after drifting in at the back post following a deep free-kick into the penalty area. Decent effort, but he should have gone back across goal.
    • 47 Abdulkader Keita has come on as a half-time sub for the Ivory Coast; the forward has had few chances to prove himself since his move to Lyon in the summer - he'll be desperate to show what he can do.
    • 46 The second half is underway...
    • 45 HALF-TIME: Very tight first half between these two West African heavyweights. Plenty of efforts from distance, although neither keeper has been forced to make a telling save.
    • 44 Mikel goes down clutching his wrist after a clash off the ball with Drogba. Replays show he might have got an accidental boot on his arm as the Ivory Coast man came away with the ball.
    • 42 OVER! Martins works the ball wide to Yakubu...he cuts inside on to his weaker right foot, but blasts his shot a couple of yards over the bar. Decent touch to work himself some space, though a poor finish at the end.
    • 41 Ivory Coast coach Uli Stielike is missing the tournament because of a family illness; Frenchman Gerard Gili is taking temporary charge. He will be reasonably happy with his side's first half; Ivory Coast have just about edged it, I'd say.
    • 38 After a really bright start, the sides have retreated into their shells a little; there is a lot riding on this match, which will probably decide who finishes top of Group B.
    • 36 Utaka is unfortunate to get penalised for a strong challenge with Zokora in the midfield; it has been a very combative game, but played in a really good spirit.
    • 35 For the first time this game, Taye Taiwo breaks past the full-back down the Nigeria left and sends over a low cross...Kanu has come to the near post, but he is just caught a little flat-footed and the Ivory Coast defence clears.
    • 33 PENALTY? NO! Martins goes down under a challenge from Steve Gohouri as he breaks into the penalty are from the left; the Nigeria claims the penalty - only to be shown a yellow card for diving! Tough - replays show the defender didn't get the ball and did clash with Martins' knee.
    • 31 Both defences are sitting quite deep, wary of the immense pace and power that both sides have up front - that is the main reason for all these shots from distance.
    • 30 Drogba lays off to Kalou on the edge of the area, but his first-time shot is blocked. Ivory Coast are certainly getting more players forward in support of their attacks - Nigeria are playing more on the break at the moment.
    • 28 Martins cuts inside from the left before opting to shoot from 25 yards; another poor effort, high and wide. Neither side has really tried to get closer to goal than 30 yards.
    • 27 Utaka gets in front of Arthur Boka as the two chase down a long clearance from the back; Utaka gets their first, but his first-time shot from a tight angle is sliced horrendously wide.
    • 24 Steve Gohouri is booked for a cynical foul on Yakubu as the powerful striker tried to get in front of him down the left as Nigeria countered.
    • 23 Yaya Toure goes down in the box as he tries to get on Dindane's low cross at the near post; no penalty. Ivory Coast are just beginning to mount a bit of pressure now.
    • 22 It has been a fine start to this match; both sides are more than willing to fire in shots on goal whenever the opportunity arises.
    • 21 Zokora makes a fair, well-timed challenge on Utaka as the Portsmouth man leads a Nigeria break through the middle. Danger averted.
    • 19 Seyi George Olofinjana's clumsy foul on Didier Zokora brings the first booking of the match.
    • 19 FINGER-STINGER! Yaya Toure cracks in a fierce effort from distance, rapping the fingertips of the Nigeria keeper, who is just able to palm the ball clear.
    • 18 TAME! Drogba attempts a free-kick of his own, from a similar position...unfortunately, it is weak and straight at Austin Ejide in the Nigeria goal.
    • 16 OFF THE BAR! Nigeria win a free-kick, 35 yards out, right-of-centre...Taye Taiwo has a crack, but the shot crashes back of the crossbar! Fine effort from the Marseille defender.
    • 15 There are 12 players from the English Premier League taking part in this match; Chelsea team-mates Drogba and Mikel Jon Obi are amongst those going head-to-head.
    • 13 LUCKY! Martins cracks in a fine shot from 30 yards with his left-boot; Boubacar Barry in the Ivory Coast goal fumbles the effort, but there is no Nigerian on hand to turn the rebound home.
    • 11 Dan Shittu gets in an important block on Drogba's turn-and-shot on the edge of the penalty area; the big Chelsea striker is already looking strong and menacing.
    • 10 AMBITIOUS! Toure cracks a shot in from 45 yards after being teed up by a short free-kick; the ball swings viciously in the air, but the keeper has it covered as it flies a couple of yards wide.
    • 9 Yaya Toure's strong run carves open the Nigerian defence; he finds Kalou with the pass, but the Chelsea man treads on the ball when in a promising position.
    • 7 Dindane goes down under the challenge of Olofinjana on the Ivory Coast right; no free-kick, to the forward's disgust.
    • 6 Sunderland midfielder Dickson Etuhu, one of eight Nations Cup debutants in the Eagles' squad, missed out through injury, while Ivory Coast coach Gerard Gil had a fully fit squad to choose from for this match.
    • 5 Meite is penalised for climbing on his marker at a corner; Ivory Coast look like the bigger side; they will be a threat from set-pieces this afternoon.
    • 3 Fine tackle from Yobo, who crunches the ball away from Drogba after a neat one-two thirty yards from goal.
    • 2 CLOSE! Mikel lays off to Kanu on the edge of the box for the first shot on goal of the match; it's a fine strike from the veteran, but the ball whistles just wide.
    • 1 OFF WE GO!
    • 0 The anthems are finished with, the players are shaking hands, and the ball is in the centre-circle...
    • - This is a massive opening match for both sides, although both begin confident. "We know what we are capable of - the pressure is on the Ivory Coast to win," Nigeria's Richard Eromoigbe said this week.
    • 16:43 The Sekondi-Takoradi Stadium is filling up ahead of this mouth-watering Group B clash.
    • - Hello there! How now (if you're Nigerian), bonjour (if you're from the Cote d'Ivoire)! Welcome to our coverage of this huge African Cup of Nations clash!

  • Summary

    • 69 SHOCKING MISS! Keite, a half-time sub for Gohouri, shows good strength to hold off Onyekachi Apam, although he then fires well wide from a narrow angle, six yards out. He should have worked the keeper there, at the very least after superbly holding off his man to get in a decent position.
    • 66 GOAL! KALOU MAGIC! Ivory Coast take the lead when Chelsea star Kalou dances through two challenges before rifling a low shot under the goalkeeper!
    • 61 GREAT CHANCE! Finally, Martins is able to get in behind the Ivory Coast defence as he sprints onto a through-ball; the ball is on his weaker right-side, but his shot from 12 yards is well struck...Barry comes out and saves well.
    • 59 GREAT SAVE! Austin Ejide gets down low to save Kolo Toure's effort; the defender was allowed the time and space to pull down a corner at the back post before firing in a fierce low shot.
    • 49 Dan Shittu heads wide from a tight angle after drifting in at the back post following a deep free-kick into the penalty area. Decent effort, but he should have gone back across goal.
    • 35 For the first time this game, Taye Taiwo breaks past the full-back down the Nigeria left and sends over a low cross...Kanu has come to the near post, but he is just caught a little flat-footed and the Ivory Coast defence clears.
    • 33 PENALTY? NO! Martins goes down under a challenge from Steve Gohouri as he breaks into the penalty are from the left; the Nigeria claims the penalty - only to be shown a yellow card for diving! Tough - replays show the defender didn't get the ball and did clash with Martins' knee.
    • 16 OFF THE BAR! Nigeria win a free-kick, 35 yards out, right-of-centre...Taye Taiwo has a crack, but the shot crashes back of the crossbar! Fine effort from the Marseille defender.
    • 13 LUCKY! Martins cracks in a fine shot from 30 yards with his left-boot; Boubacar Barry in the Ivory Coast goal fumbles the effort, but there is no Nigerian on hand to turn the rebound home.
    • 10 AMBITIOUS! Toure cracks a shot in from 45 yards after being teed up by a short free-kick; the ball swings viciously in the air, but the keeper has it covered as it flies a couple of yards wide.
    • 2 CLOSE! Mikel lays off to Kanu on the edge of the box for the first shot on goal of the match; it's a fine strike from the veteran, but the ball whistles just wide.
    • - Hello there! How now (if you're Nigerian), bonjour (if you're from the Cote d'Ivoire)! Welcome to our coverage of this huge African Cup of Nations clash!

Live Team Line-Up

  • Nigeria

    Manager: Berti Vogts

    On the Field

    • Ejide
    • Yobo
    • Olofinjana Yellow Card
    • Apam
    • Taiwo
    • Mikel
    • Utaka Substitution Out (74′)
    • Shittu
    • Aiyegbeni
    • Martins Yellow Card Substitution Out (80′)
    • Kanu Substitution Out (56′)

    Subs

    • Afolabi
    • Etuhu
    • Enyeama
    • Uche
    • Makinwa Substitution In (80′)
    • Odemwingie Substitution In (74′)
    • Emeghara
    • Nsofor Obinna
    • Eromoigbe
    • Aiyenugba
    • Nwaneri
    • Okonkwo Substitution In (56′)

    Injured

    None

    Suspended

    None

  • Ivory Coast

    Manager: Gérard Gili

    On the Field

    • Barry Copa
    • Eboue
    • Toure
    • Meite
    • Boka Yellow Card
    • Touré
    • Gohouri Yellow Card Substitution Out (46′)
    • Zokora
    • Dindane
    • Kalou Goal
    • Drogba Substitution Out (85′)

    Subs

    • Loboué
    • Zoro Kpolo
    • Koné Substitution In (85′)
    • Faé
    • Romaric
    • Sanogo
    • Keita Substitution In (46′)
    • Tiene
    • Gervinho
    • Koné
    • Djakpa

    Injured

    None

    Suspended

    None