Ademola Lookman netted twice as the Super Eagles saw off Cameroon last time out – and millions of Nigerians would be hoping that the ex-Leicester City forward could replicate his goalscoring exploits against Angola on Friday.
NGA: Nwabali; Bassey, Troost-Ekong, Ajayi; Sanusi, Iwobi, Onyeka, Aina; Lookman, Simon; Osimhen
ANG: Signori; Carneiro, Buatu, Gaspar, Afonso; Estrela, Show, Fredy; Muondo Dala, Mabululu, Gilberto
Perhaps unexpectedly, it was Angola that created the first chance of the match at Abidjan’s Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium – with Stanley Nwabali forced into action to turn Mabululu’s effort away from goal.
But Angola’s Palancas Nebras seemed to fade away as the half wore on, allowing Moses Simon to dart down the left flank before picking out Ademola Lookman’s late run into the box. The Atalanta forward dispatched a composed side-footed effort, handing Nigeria a well-earned lead before the break.
Embed from Getty ImagesAngola did threaten again on the hour mark though, with half-time substitute Zine only able to pick out the base of the post after finding himself through on goal.
Victor Osimhen would see his header chalked off for offside with fifteen minutes of play remaining, as Nigeria scraped through to the semifinals by a one-goal margin. The Super Eagles will face either Cape Verde or South Africa on Wednesday.
