2023 AFCON Nigeria 1 Angola 0: Lookman's first half goal clinches semifinal spot for Super Eagles 

Nigeria booked their place in the semifinal of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations courtesy of a 1-0 triumph over Angola on Friday evening.

Angolan forward Mabululu got the first shot on target of the game in the 4th minute but Stanley Nwabali parried the ball away. superbly.

A cross from Frank Onyeka found Victor Osimhen  but the latter couldn't direct his header towards goal.

The Napoli forward was presented with another opportunity in the 23rd minute but his effort was comfortably saved by the goalkeeper.

The Super Eagles finally opened the scoring in the 41st minute with Moses Simon bursting into an acre of space, squaring the ball to Ademola Lookman who put it ferociously into the back of the net.

The Atalanta's forward strike will be the difference between both sides at the end of the first half.

Angola got the first big chance of the second half with Zini finding himself in a good position but his shot came off the woodwork and William Troost-Ekong cleared the ball for a corner kick.

In the 63rd minute, Zaidu Sanusi had the chance to double Nigeria's lead from a free kick but his effort was saved comfortably. 

Osimhen thought he had given the West Africans a two-goal cushion in the 75th minute when he headed the ball into the net from Lookman's free-kick but it was ruled out for offside by the VAR.

The 25-year-old was presented with another big opportunity by Lookman in the 80th minute but surprisingly failed to bury the ball into the back of the net.

The Super Eagles ensured they stayed compact to see out the game and book their place in the semifinal for the first time since 2019.

They are now set to face the winner between Cape Verde and South Africa next week Wednesday.

Abdulkareem Abdulhamid

Photo Credit: CAF 

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