The head coach of the Cote d’Ivoire national team, Jean Louis Gasset, has reflected on their 1-0 defeat to Nigeria on Thursday.
The Elephants were looking to win their second successive game at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations after seeing off Guinea-Bissau in their opener.
However, the hosts struggled to break down the Super Eagles and eventually gave away a penalty in the second half.
Nigeria captain, William Troost-Ekong, stepped up to smash what proved to be the winner.
The Ivorians ran out of energy early and despite nine minutes of stoppage time, never looked likely to break down the Super Eagles, who won on Ivory Coast soil for the first time in 10 attempts.
“We could not impose ourselves physically but it was the small details that favoured Nigeria,” Gasset said.
Ivory Coast will meet Equatorial Guinea in their final group game on Monday, while Nigeria will play Guinea-Bissau at the same time.