African Nations Cup bound Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire managed to defeat Nigeria’s Super Eagles Team B by a lone goal in an international friendly match in Abu Dhabi, UAE on Sunday.
Salomon Kalou, who came into the match from the bench scored the decisive goal in the 83rd minute, and it was enough to give a star-studded Cote d’Ivoire squad the needed impetus to beat the home-based Eagles.
The Ivoriens capitalise on a blunder by Kano Pillars midfielder, Rabiu Alli to pounce on a rare lapse in the Nigerian squad, as Cheik Tiote ran on the Eagles goal and square for Kalou to calmly slot home beyond the reach of goalkeeper Chogozie Agbim.
The Eagles, led by Assistant Coach, Daniel Amokachi were splendid with the positive approach given to curtail Cote d’Ivoire, who visibly came out to avenge their 2-1 loss to the Eagles in the semi-final of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations held in South Africa.
But the Ivorian side, that paraded Yaya Toure, who edged Vincent Enyeama to win the 2014 African Footballer of The Year Award on Thursday in Lagos, prevailed against the Eagles.