Nigeria secures a place in the semifinals
Nigeria became the first team to reach the Africa Cup of Nations semifinals as Ademola Lookman’s first-half goal secured a 1-0 victory over Angola in the last eight on Friday.
Lookman completed off a flying move down the left by winger Moses Simon, who evaded defender Kialonda Gaspar’s challenge to get free and then set up his teammate for his third goal of the tournament.
The 26-year-old’s 41st-minute strike at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium secured a semi-final match on Wednesday against either the Cape Verde Islands or South Africa, who play their quarterfinals on Saturday.
Nigeria has now qualified for the semi-finals in 13 of their previous 15 Cup of Nations appearances, elevating them to the role of favourites in a competition where practically all the heavyweight contenders have been thrown out.
Angola had chances, with substitute Zini hitting the crossbar in the 59th minute after being set up by a wonderful defence-splitting pass, but Nigeria proved to be the superior side.
The Angolans, who had never advanced beyond the last eight in previous Cup of Nations events, came close to taking the lead before four minutes. A corner was flicked on at the near post, and Mabululu’s two-yard attempt was well stopped by Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabili.
Victor Osimhen got Nigeria’s first serious chance midway through the first half, but his header was too near to Angola’s goalkeeper Antonio Dominique.
Nigeria had better chances in the second half, with Zaidu Sanusi and Alex Iwobi squandering attempts and Simon cutting inside again to open up a chance, but his effort was blocked.
It was a frustrating night for African Footballer of the Year Osimhen, who headed home a 75th-minute freekick that was disallowed due to a VAR check.
Lookman pushed him through five minutes later, but he waited too long and was dispossessed by the Angolan defence.
Later on Friday, in Abidjan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Guinea will play in the second quarterfinal match.
