Nigerian Sports News: Super Eagles Defeats Over Angola in AFCON Quarter-final
The Super Eagles of Nigeria secured a 1-0 victory against the Black Antelopes of Angola, earning a spot in the semi-final of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON)
Ademola Lookman once again seized the spotlight from Victor Osimhen, duplicating his performance in the 2-0 triumph over Cameroon in the round of 16. Lookman scored the crucial goal four minutes before halftime at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium.
In front of a crowd of 18,757 in Abidjan, the Super Eagles successfully defended their lead. Osimhen found the net, but VAR disallowed his effort, ruling him offside. Despite Osimhen’s goal drought, Nigeria’s success in this AFCON is credited to a solid defense that has maintained four consecutive clean sheets.
The three-time continental champions now move on to the semi-finals, scheduled for next Wednesday in Bouake. They will face either Cape Verde or South Africa, who are set to clash in the quarter-finals on Saturday.
Angola came close to taking the lead early in the game, with Mabululu’s attempt saved by Stanley Nwabili, the Nigerian goalkeeper who passed a fitness test to play.
Osimhen attempted headers, but it was Lookman, the Atalanta forward and former England Under-21 international, who opened the scoring in the 41st minute. Moses Simon provided the crucial assist, and Lookman finished emphatically.
In the second half, Nigeria continued to create chances, while Angola missed a golden opportunity to equalize just before the hour mark. AEK Athens striker Zini, a half-time substitute, hit the post after beating Nwabili.
Nigeria, however, survived the scare and thought they had sealed the victory when Osimhen headed home a Lookman free-kick with 15 minutes remaining.
The goal was disallowed, leading to frustration for Osimhen, who endured knocks and was even carried off on a stretcher at one point but continued playing until the final moments.
FT: Nigeria 1-0 Angola
90′ 7 minutes added time
88′ Nwabali punches out a dangerous cross as Angola search for an equaliser.
86′ SUBSTITUTION: Frank Onyeka comes off, Joe Aribo takes his place.
79′ SUBSTITUTION: Alhassan Yusuf comes on for Alex Iwobi
78′ Proceedings resume
75′ COOLING BREAK
VAR CHECK: Goal overruled. Nigeria 1-0 Angola.
73′ GOAL!!! Osimhen with the second goal for Nigeria.
72′ FREEKICK: Nigeria takes the freekick but ends in an infringement against Nigeria.
71′ Osimhen brought down in the half of the Angolans. Freekick for Nigeria.
68′ Angola with a long-range shot but goes high above the crossbar.
63′ FREEKICK: Zaidu Sanusi takes it but Dominique saves comfortably.
58′ Angola with a one-on-one chance to level the score for the Angola but the shot comes off the crossbar.
48′ Angola with a chance in the box of the Super Eagles but Semi Ajayi deftly smothers for safety for Nigeria.
45′ Proceedings resume as the second half gets underway
HT: Nigeria 1-0 Angola
42′ Angola with a chance to level but their attempt is intercepted by Troost-Ekong in defence for the Super Eagles.
41′ GOAL!!! Lookman opens the scoring for the Super Eagles
39′ Onyeka clears the ball for a corner for the Black Antelopes.
37′ Angola with a corner that goes out for a goal kick.
35′ Ola Aina with a long throw that Osimhen connects to but his header bounces off across the face of goal.
34′ Proceedings resume with the two teams attempting to break the deadlock
29′ COOLING BREAK
27′ Deivi Veira with a fine chance for a shot in the box of the Super Eagles but his efforts goes very wide.
23′ Osimhen with a fine header that is parried by Signori Dominique in goal for Angola
14′ Victor Osimhen with a header that hits the roof of the net
10′ Lookman with an in-swinger off a free-kick from close range, cleared for safety by the Angolans
7′ Ademola Lookman with a cross that causes chaos in the defence of the Angolans but the scramble sees the ball cleared away from danger.
5′ Alex Iwobi with a diagonal cross into the box, dealt comfortably by the Angolan defence.
3′ Cristovavio Pacienca with an attempt saved by Stanley Nwabali in goal for the Super Eagles.
1′ The match is underway with Nigeria launching an early attack into the box of the Angolans.
After a commanding performance against the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon, the Super Eagles of Nigeria will be back in action on Friday against the Black Antelopes of Angola for a place in the semi-final of the AFCON.
Though Nigeria’s performance in the group stage left a lot more to be desired, the Super Eagles stepped up against Cameroon in what was a convincing performance that ignited hopes that the team could go ahead and claim their fourth AFCON crown in Cote D’Ivoire.
Angola, on the other hand, have been stellar in the ongoing competition, finishing first in their group and
Comment ( 0 )