Ademola Lookman’s first-half strike was enough to secure a hard-fought 1-0 win for the Super Eagles against Palancas Negras of Angola in the quarter-finals of the AFCON 2023 at Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan on Friday, Completesports.com reports.
Lookman has now scored in back-to-back games after bagging a brace against Cameroon in the round of 16, taking his tally to three.
Lookman has joined an exclusive club, matching the goal-scoring feat accomplished by three Nigeria players who came before him. The Atalanta forward notched his inaugural Africa Cup of Nations goal against Cameroon, contributing both goals in Nigeria’s 2-0 triumph. He now stands as the fourth Nigerian to achieve the milestone of scoring three or more goals in the knockout stages of a single Africa Cup of Nations edition. His predecessors in this prestigious list include Odion Ighalo in 2019 (4 goals), Austine Jay-Jay Okocha in 2004, and Rashidi Yekini in 1994.
It was another impressive defensive performance by the William Troost-Ekong-led backline who have now gone four consecutive games without conceding a goal.
Also Read: Nigeria Vs Angola Live Blogging – AFCON 2023 Quarter-Final Match
First-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali and Alhassan Yusuf made a return to injury.
Angola, who made their third quarter-final appearance and first AFCON clash with the Eagles, went into the game on the back of a nine-game unbeaten run.
Troost-Ekong made a timely block for a comer from a cross on four minutes to deny Angola an early advantage.
From the corner, Stanley Nwabali made a superb one-on-one save from a corner.
In the 15th minute Victor Osimhen connected with a cross with his head but the effort went just over the bar.
On 24 minutes Osimhen had another headed attempt from a Moses Simon cross but the keeper was well positioned to stop the ball from going in.
In the 36th minute, Osimhen headed down inside the box but no Super Eagles player was close enough to the ball.
The Eagles took the lead on 41 minutes as Simon broke on the left, and beat his marker before squaring for Lookman who volleyed into the roof of the net.
Also Read – AFCON Winners: Will South Africa Be Number 8 On The Trot?
In the first half’s added time the Eagles broke on the left through Zaidu Sanusi but the left-back failed to pass to his teammates inside the box.
Super Eagles had the first chance of the second half through Alex Iwobi whose left foot shot took a deflection and went off for a corner.
A few minutes later Lookman beat his marker inside the box but nobody was there to connect with his cutback.
In the 58th minute, Bassey had a big chance from a headed cross from Troost-Ekong but he couldn’t keep his header down.
Angola almost drew level on 60 minutes but substitute Zine’s effort hit the post after a brilliant defence-splitting pass.
Simon then went on a brilliant solo move inside the box on 62 minutes only to see his shot blocked.
The Eagles won a free kick in a good position for a foul on Lookman in the 65th minute but Sanusi’s attempt was well saved by the keeper.
Osimhen thought he had doubled the Eagles’ lead with a header off Lookman’s cross but it was disallowed for offside.
Osimhen had a big chance to make it 2-0 with less than 10 minutes left but his goal-bound strike was blocked.
With two minutes left in the game, Nwabali dived to his right to punch away a shot.
Deep in stoppage time a dangerous cross was well held by Nwabali.
By Adeboye Amosu in Abidjan
26 Comments
Great play congratulations team Naija the cup is yours to lose.
I pray this guy wins the golden booth.. he has really work hard to deserve it
Where is your Banku team?
Lol..Come who is deceiving you people that am a Ghanaian?. Omo am a full bloody Nigerian o stop fooling around.. And it is only few forumites here that know this truth and that’s why I love them.. people like ayaphillydegreat, Chima, Oakfield, Mahmud shaibu, etc they know my history in this forum. They know my sudden hate for the national team…
I said before the tournament that lookman will be very helpful to SE in the Afcon considering the form he is in Atalanta this season…..Nice Energy from the team…. Osimhen very strong and fast…..Simon very intelligent and sleepery….. Lookman confident and lively…..Iwobi very crafty And inventive with his passes…. Onyeka brings a lot of energy to the table…..Aina very strong and timely in his tackles….. Zaidu very fast and strong in his tackles but needs to work on his footwork…..Ajayi is a gentle giant in the defense…..Ekong calm and collective and the last man always standing…..Nwabili is God sent.
Osimhen is God’s gift for d eagles, it’s not about scoring all d time. We are just fortunate to have Ademola Lookman. England will regret this. Nwabali has solved our goalkeeping problem
Oshimen is God’s gift. I think he needs to be tested again. It’s always difficult to keep him quiet. That header that was disqualified was a thunder. Keeper could not hold or parry it away. So sad it was disallowed.
X factor player he is.
Did anybody see how nwabili always resume play immediately after saving a ball. Great confidence. God bless pesero for listening to our cries. This will even make uzoho step up.
Bassey will one day become the best defender in Africa. Versatile, confident, skilful and fearless.
If you want to beat this team, you must find a way to keep Oshimen and ademola quiet.
You must stop Simon from the wings.
You must find a way of unlocking that defense.
Then you need to beat nwabili.
That will be tough for any team. But this is football anyway.
I still see Oshimen goals in this tournament.
But the ref should have punished these Angolans. They were just too rough.
Play good football and win unlike the eyesore we watched under Rohr
Ewu gambia
Warra a beauriful for your dead beat father
Help us tell them. With this ugly 10 man back wall we watching, and when they counter, it’s either a misstep, sloppy pass. It’s just pure luck
May the luck continue. If we win the cup, nobody will remember it was actually by luck.
Mumu
Lookman na beta baller abeg. Very skillful and purposeful.
By the way, anyone who doesn’t see that Stanley Nwabali is better than Uzoho and Okoye combined doesn’t know ball. That first Angolan chance beats Uzoho anyday. Look at Nwabali’s save in the second half. He pushed the ball to safety with a strong-hand. He’s Nigerian version of Jan Oblak with better ball distribution. What a keeper!
Chppa United is going to lose that guy after the Afcon and cash in. He might be the first Nigerian goalkeeper to play for a team in one of the top 4 leagues in Europe.
Cadiz of Spain wished him quick recovery after his injury against Cameroon. But Cadiz is a downgrade for his quality. He should be aiming for Valencia, Sevilla, Dortmund, Leverkusen, Atalanta or Tottenham. He’s that good
For a keeper that his defense is the one saving him. He has no reflexes, which the top teams are still available to see how truly he is the one
You are obviously looking for attention. Good luck to you
You are a super negative fellow. Why not go and swallow more Banku, and spare us from these horrendous opinions?
Congratulations to Nigeria let us rest today and come back for analysis tomorrow it’s party time.
Congratulations boys. E no easy. One good thing about this team is their defense. They are a very hard nut to crack. In fact , we have one of the most formidable defense in this tournament. Having conceded only one goal in 5 good matches and counting!! That’s one of the hallmarks of a very good team. I think, pesero is applying morinho’s playing pattern. Locked up and formidable defense and a deadly attack. Kudos to pesero’s ability to read games and successfully apply his own tactics. That’s the mark of a very good coach. Keep working hard osimhen, your goal will come in handy at the most crucial moment. Just keep doing what u are doing.
Weak link in the team Zaidu Sanusi. Osimhen seemed worn out, Frank Onyeka injured.
Big worries for semi final duel
Very unfortunate Peserio is unknowingly tiring out Osimhen. Our workhorse never rest yet he is always playing 90 minutes. Coach is a bad “man manager” for not trying out any of Musa, ihenacho or Moffi in 5 matches.
Eagles are risking a potential capitulation because of stubbornness.
Is it bad for early substitution? Osimhen was huffing and puffing at a stage.
Hear ye:-
Glory To God!
Angola chop woto woto after all their mouth and noise – we move on!
We have changed our old number that they had and have left the field of play today with thier own number along with dialing code!
From today onwards, I don’t want to hear pim from Angola again.
Oya let’s goo!
Great output by the SuperEagles. I expect us to go on and win this tournament now. Bring on anybody. We’ve brought down the Elephant, we’ve devoured the Lions, we’ve now roasted the Antelopes.
I saw an urgency of wanting to win the game. I saw togetherness everyone is playing for each other. Everyone is accountable for his errors and makes amends. Nwabali is our goalkeeper for the next 5 years at least. Though Uzoho and Okoye will still be around. Our defense can only get better from here on.
We have a settled midfield that plays for each other. Onyeka Frank the tank. I hope he’s not injured badly. Iwobi threads passes like a needle. He’s given a free role in the team and he delivers his duties impeccably. That pass to Zaidu was definitely worth a match winner.
Angola came to play, but we matched with our speed and creativity in attack. Look at how Osimhen drew two defenders away from the box to open space for Lookman to wreck havoc. Thank goodness Moses Simon looks up and made the right decision. That was an amazing team goal.
Alhassan also came in to calm things down in midfield with one lovely pass that almost resulted to a goal. SuperEagles all the way. Overall it was an absolute gritty performance by the SuperEagles despite the rough tackles from the Angolans. Let’s continue to enjoy this moment. Congratulations Nigeria!! FLY LIKE AN EAGLE INTO THE FUTURE.
@AY and other believers from day one kudos to u guys, I ve my doubts, but these guys came to war with Bazookas.for me Ekong is my player of the tournament so far. The guy has really improved, plus I’m seeing a good quality leader in him.