Egypt vs Ghana – Africa Cup of Nations: Live score, team news and updates Mo Salah looks to fire Pharoahs to victory after hosts Ivory Coast lose 1-0 to Nigeria

A runner-up in 2017. A runner-up in 2021.

Will Mo Salah finally win AFCON with Egypt?

Victory tonight would be another important step on Egypt’s path to another final

One of the biggest talking points from the first round of group matches surrounded Ghana boss Chris Hughton.

It was reported that Hughton had been saved by Ghanian diplomats.

Hughton apologised to Ghana’s supporters after the result, saying the he and the team were ‘hugely disappointed’ by the outcome.

You would hope regardless of tonight’s result there will be no repeated of the disgraceful attacks on Hughton.

Got to love a team line-up graphic which shows the players in formation.

The big name is Mo Salah, who obviously starts.

The big team news for Ghana is the return of Mohammed Kudus in Chris Hughton’s side.

A lot will defend on the West Ham star for the Black Stars at this tournament.

Even more so after that Cape Verde defeat.

Kudus missed the loss due to a hamstring injury but is fit to start this evening.

Attention turns from Group A to Group B and two sides that flattered to deceive in their opening matches.

Egypt required a last Mo Salah penalty to draw 2-2 with Mozambique.

It was worse for Ghana, as the Black Stars suffered a shock 2-1 defeat to Cape Verde.

A lot more will be expected of both sides today.

Glum faces among the Ivory Coast players at full-time understandably.

The host nation drop to third in Group A, a point behind Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria.

Ivory Coast face Equatorial Guinea in their final group match on Monday.

Nigeria’s players had been under pressure after a disappointing draw in their opening match.

The pressure has eased significantly after this win.

Members of the Nigeria team head over to their supporters to celebrate the victory.

Nigeria have done it!

The Super Eagles have beaten the host nation!

William Troost-Ekong’s penalty is enough to secure a 1-0 victory, taking Nigeria onto four points from their opening two games.

It should be enough to progress with the top two assured to got through, plus the best third placed teams.

Some thinking to do for the Ivory Coast, who were held at arms reach.

Ivory Coast come forward again. Is this their last chance?

Diakate has a cross blocked. Singo has a cross blocked.

Solid work from the Nigeria defence, as they scramble the ball clear again.

The ball is played forward again and Franck Keisse is penalised for handball.

That might well be that.

Nigeria’s goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali has been booked for time wasting.

The only card of the game.

Over on the Nigeria bench, Victor Osimhen has turned cheerleader.

He offers encouragement to his team-mates from the sidelines.#

They are doing a fine job of seeing out this additional time.

Hope is restored for the Ivory Coast as nine minutes of additional time are signalled.

A roar of excitment from the crowd.

Yet there are glum faces on the Ivory Coast bench. Probably because their team-mates are shooting from 30 plus yards out.

Ridiculous.

Sangare wildly shoots from distance out for a goal kick. Fofana did the same a couple of minutes before.

Desperate stuff from the Ivory Coast, who look to have completely run out of ideas.

Nigeria continue to play down the clock.

Victor Osimhen will watch the final minutes from the bench. The African Player of the Year won the penalty that looks like seperating the two sides.

Nigeria are dropping deep, but look dangerous on the counter.

The Super Eagles have broken dangerous twice in the last few minutes as the Ivory Coast push more men forward.

Bright Osayi-Samuel is superbly tackled in the box from one of Nigeria’s breaks, as they look to seal victory.

Fresh legs for both sides.

Ademola Lookman makes way for Nigeria, as well as Zaidu Sanusi. Kenneth Omeruo and Bright Osayi-Samuel come on.

Play is briefly held up as a necklace is removed from one of the substitutes.

Diakate comes on for Nonan for the Ivory Coast.

The crowd lifts once more as the Ivory Coast threaten down the right wing through Diakate, but the Super Eagles defend the cross well.

The cameras zoom in on a pensive looking Didier Drogba in the stands.

The Ivory Coast are 15 minutes away from suffering defeat.

There have been promising signs in the last few minutes with a couple of half chances.

No clear openings as yet as the clock ticks down.

Time for another cooling break.

It gives Jean-Louis Gasset the chance to encourage his side as well.

Ibrahim Sangare attempts a Roberto Carlos.

Sangare comes off of a long run up and blasts a free kick towards the Nigeria goal.

It is always rising and clears the crossbar.

Ousmane Diomande heads wide of the target for the Ivory Coast as the hosts seek a route back into this one.

Could Nicolas Pepe be the man to provide the spark? The former Arsenal man is one of three substitutes brought on.

Jonathan Bamba and Wilfried Singo also come on, with Christian Kouame, Jeremy Boga and Serge Aurier making way.

Nigeria come forward again.

Samuel Chukwueze races forward with the Super Eagles setting up a two on two on the break.

Chukwueze stumbles under pressure as he drifts centrally and the chance goes.

Nigeria’s pressure continues though with a corner. Frank Onyeka heads over the top.

How will the Ivory Coast respond to falling behind?

Not well by the look of it.

Osimhen nearly makes it two as he gets across the near post to head goalwards from a long throw.

It is narrowly wide of the target. Could he have done better?

Here is that opening goal.

No saving that!

No mistake. Blasted down the middle by William Troost-Ekong.

The Nigeria captain nets his fifth goal for his country after being handed the responsibility by Osimhen.

It’s given after a review.

Nigeria have a penalty to go in front.

An opening for Nigeria.

Victor Osimhen brings the ball down in the box and goes to ground under a challenge.

Ademola Lookman latches onto the loose pass and prods a shot at goal which is blocked.

VAR is now having a look at that tackle on Osimhen.

We had about 30 seconds of the half before our first stoppage.

Calvin Bassey takes a bash on the head and requires treatment.

Looks like the Fulham defender should be okay to rejoin play.

Both teams emerge and we are ready to go in the second half.

No changes from either side at the break.

I mentioned earlier that Victor Osimhen has been tipped for a move to Chelsea in the future.

Blues fans will be hoping Didier Drogba is putting in a rave review here.

Legendary Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba is among those in attendance this afternoon.

Drogba was unable to win AFCON during his playing career, which included a heartbreaking penalty defeat to Egypt in the 2006 final.

The former Chelsea star also suffered a semi-final exit against the Pharaohs.

Drogba has notably played a key role in ending the Ivory Coast civil war in 2006 after an impassioned speech calling for a ceasefire, after leading the nation to a debut World Cup back in 2006.

Goalless at the break.

Slightly disjointed by both sides in the final third so far, but very watchable.

Nigeria’s players gather in a huddle on the pitch before heading into the changing rooms.

A pep talk from Victor Osimhen, who has had the game’s clearest opening.

Rather drifting towards half-time here, with the action off the pitch not matching the colour and atmosphere off it

Can either side grab a goal before the break?

Seko Fofana has been really impressive so far.

He makes a superb run out to the left flank from midfield as the Ivory Coast look to build another attack.

Nigeria defend a cross into the box well.

That’s the Serge Aurier I know.

A needless foul out wide gives Nigeria a free kick in a dangerous position. Never change Serge.

It’s swung into the box and Semi Ajayi heads over via a hand.

Nigeria appeal for a penalty only it came off one of their own player’s hands.

Blimey, some hit from Seko Fofana.

He lines one up from a mile out and stings the palms of Nigeria’s goalkeeper Stanley Nwabili.

Nwabili pushes the ball back out into the danger zone, but the flag goes up as Ivory Coast regain the rebound.

Time for the first cooling break as the clock ticks over to 25 minutes played.

Some good intent from both sides so far, but still only that big chance for Victor Osimhen to shout about so far.

A brief stoppage in play after Zaidu Sanusi receives treatment after a challenge by Franck Kessie.

When play resumes it is end to end stuff.

Ademola Lookman creates a opportunity for the Super Eagles, but it is blocked behind for a corner.

A decent chance for the Ivory Coast following a free kick out wide.

Christian Kouame lays the ball back into the path of Evan Ndicka.

His half volley is straight into the gloves of Stanley Nwabili in the Nigeria goal.

Either side and that would have caused a problem.

Ivory Coast have had a couple of half chances from set pieces so far.

Nigeria have not looked comfortable so far dealing with balls into the box.

A first sight of goal for Victor Osimhen and it is a big chance!

The Nigeria star is played in behind the Ivory Coast defence, with Osimhen getting the other side of Serge Aurier.

His is stumbling as he hits his left foot shot which flies over the crossbar.

Osimhen wheels away in frustration.

He knows what a big chance that was…

A positive start from the Ivory Coast as they keep possession for a couple of minutes to calm a few nerves.

But it is Nigeria with their first foray fowards who get the first shot on goal.

The ball is cut back to Frank Onyeka on the edge of the Ivory Coast box.

His shot is wayward and is out for a goal kick.

Off we go in this high-profile Group A match!

A crackling atmosphere at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium as the two national anthems play ahead of kick-off.

Unsurprisingly the hosts anthem is greeted with gusto.

A huge roar from the supporters as the Ivory Coast’s anthem draws to a close.

Can the Ivory Coast live up to the crowds’ expectations.

Napoli star Victor Osimhen will be hoping to fire his side to a first win of the tournament after drawing their opening game.

Osimhen has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League and Chelsea in particular.

The £130m-odd rated striker has not been shy about his desire to move to the Premier League in the future.

But according to him, a move is not imminent.

Ivory Coast can secure a place in the knock-out stage with a win over Nigeria this afternoon.

The hosts beat Guinea-Bissau 2-0 in their opening match of the tournament.

Victory would take the Ivory Coast above Equatorial Guinea to the top of the group.

Equatorial Guinea were 4-2 winners earlier today over Guinea Bissau, with Emilio Nsue scoring the first Africa Cup of Nations hat-trick since 2008.

Followed by an unforgettable celebration with team-mates.

More on that here…

Straight into the team news with around 20 minutes to go until kick-off in this Group A match.

Ivory Coast: Y. Fofana, Ndicka, Diomande, Konan, S. Fofana, Aurier, Sangare, Kessie, Kouame, Boga, Krasso

Nigeria: Nwabali: Aina, Ekong, Ajayi, Bassey, Zaidu, Onyeka, Iwobi, Lookman; Chukwueze, Osimhen

Afternoon everyone and welcome to Mail Sport’s live blog where we will be bringing you two matches from the African Cup of Nations.

First up it is hosts Ivory Coast against Nigeria, before Mohamed Salah’s Egypt face Ghana in another clash of two heavyweights.

Aftaernoon everyone and welcome to Mail Sport’s live blog where we will be bringing you two matches from the African Cup of Nations.