Nigeria 1-0 Angola: First half Ademola Lookman goal books Africa Cup of Nations semi-final spot for Super Eagles
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Updated 02/02/2024 at 19:40 GMT
Nigeria are into the semi-finals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations after a narrow 1-0 win over a spirited Angola side. The three-time former winners booked their place in the final four thanks to Ademola Lookman's first0-half goal. Angola hit the post after the break but were unable to fashion a goal of their own as they head home after an otheriwse impressive tournament.
Nigeria's forward #18 Ademola Lookman celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2024 quarter-final football match between Nigeria and Angola at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan on February 2, 2024.
Image credit: Getty Images
Ademola Lookman scored the only goal as Nigeria edged out Angola to book their place in the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals.
The Atalanta winger struck four minutes before half-time in Abijdan, turning in Moses Simon's cross to book a last-four date with either Cape Verde or South Africa.
Bidding to reach their first semi-final, Angola made a bright start and were denied in the fourth minute when Stanley Nwabali kept out Mabululu's close-range volley.
However, it was Nigeria who hit the front in the 41st minute. Simon skipped away from Kialonda Gaspar's sliding challenge and squared the ball for Lookman to fire into the roof of the net.
Angola almost responded just before the hour mark. Substitute Zine latched onto Show's throughball and beat Nwabali, only to see his first-time shot bounce back off the post.
Although VAR denied Victor Osimhen, whose header from Lookman’s free-kick was chalked off for offside, the Super Eagles held out to secure their passage into the semi-finals.
Talking Point – The favourites remain on course for title number four
The highest-ranked nation remaining in the competition, three-time winners Nigeria demonstrated their ability to handle the favourites tag with a hard-earned victory.
Dangerous going forward with Lookman, Simon and Osimhen, the Super Eagles also produced yet another solid defensive performance.
Indeed, they have now won four successive Africa Cup of Nations matches without conceding.
Champions in 1980, 1994 and 2013, Jose Peseiro’s side certainly have plenty of positives to build on as they head into the semi-finals.
Player of the Match – Ademola Lookman
Following his brace against Cameroon in the last 16, Lookman built on that momentum by scoring the only goal here.
The Atalanta winger never stopped working for his team. Contesting (17) and winning (nine) more duels more than any other player, he also registered the most touches in the opposition box (seven).
In addition to that, his 17 passes into the final third were only bettered by team-mate Alex Iwobi (20).
Player Ratings
Nigeria: Nwabali 7, Ajayi 7, Troost-Ekong 8, Bassey 8, Aina 7, Onyeka 7, Iwobi 8, Sanusi 8, Simon 8, Lookman 9*, Osimhen 8. Subs: Yusuf 5, Aribo 5, Omeruo N/A, Onuachu N/A
Angola: Signori 7, Eddie 6, Gaspar 8, Buatu 7, Carneiro 6, Fredy 6, Show 7, Estrela 5, Gilberto 6, Mabululu 7, Dala 4. Subs: Zine 7, Paz 5, Luvumbo 5, Bela 5, Milson N/A
Match Highlights
4' – GREAT SAVE: Angola make a positive start and force a corner after Troost-Ekong turns a dangerous centre behind. Gilberto flicks on the subsequent delivery towards an unmarked Mabululu in the six-yard box, but Nwabali reacts quickly to push away his first-time volley.
41' – GOAL!!! NIGERIA 1-0 ANGOLA (LOOKMAN): Nigeria switch the play and Sanusi knocks the ball down for line for Simon, who beats the sliding Gaspar to it. The winger advances into the penalty area before squaring the ball for Lookman, who fires a first-time shot into the roof of the net.
58' – CHANCE: Sanusi's deep corner is helped into the six-yard area. Osimhen is gearing up for an overhead kick, but is beaten to the ball by Bassey. However, the centre-half heads over from close range.
59' – OFF THE POST: The woodwork denies Zine! The substitute latches onto Show's neat throughball and his placed first-time shot beats Nwabali, but crashes against the post.
76' – OFFSIDE: Nigeria think they have doubled their lead advantage as Osimhen meets Lookman's free-kick, and Signori is only able to help his powerful header in off the post. However, a VAR check rules the Super Eagles striker strayed fractionally offside before the free-kick was taken.
Key Stats
- Nigeria were appearing in their record-equalling 11th Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final, moving level with Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire and Tunisia.
- Lookman became the fourth Nigerian to score three or more goals in a single Africa Cup of Nations knockout stage after Odion Ighalo, Jay-Jay Okocha and Rashidi Yekini.
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