Dhabi, thanks to a late goal from former Chelsea forward Salomon
Kalou. The Elephants attacked more in the game, but they were unable
to find a way through against the equally impressive Super Eagles side
who stood tall to them.
With both coaches fielding talented players in the build up game, the
two teams treated the fans to a classic, but the one-time African Cup
of Nations winners nevertheless managed to emerge triumphant with
Kalou's 84th-minute strike.
Super Eagles stand-in coach Daniel Amokachi handed starts to
enterprising Stanley Dimgba and Nigeria Professional Football League
top marksman Mfon Udoh.
There was a worrying sight for Elephants fans in the opening exchanges
when the dangerous Gambo Mohammed side footed his effort from close
range. Cote d'Ivoire fielded majority of their stars with African
Footballer of the Year, Yaya Toure getting a good match from the
fearless Joseph Nathaniel in the midfield.
Roma winger, Gervinho should have given the Elephants the lead in the
27th minute of the match when he beat the Nigeria defence, but he was
denied by goalkeeper Chigozie Agbim.
Cote d'Ivoire threatened again when Serge Aurier headed wide from a
corner kick and the first half ended goalless in Abu Dhabi.
In a bid to grab the winner, the Cote D'Ivoire technical crew led by
Hervé Renard threw more bodies upfront and pressurised the Super
Eagles side in the second half.
At the home stretch, Newcastle United midfielder Chieck Tiote found
Kalou in the area and the forward slotted the past Agbim in goal for
Nigeria. Nigeria's tour of United Arab Emirates will come to an end
with a game against the Falcons of Sudan on 17th January, 2015.
--Vanguard
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