Ademola Lookman's first-half aim secured Nigeria a spot within the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with a 1-0 win over Angola. The victory continues the Tremendous Eagles' glorious AFCON quarter-final report, having misplaced simply considered one of their earlier eleven final eight matches within the competitors.
Angola's Black Sable Antelopes had already upset the chances by reaching the final eight of the AFCON for the primary time since 2010, and so they gave the Tremendous Eagles an enormous scare in the course of the opening change when Gilberto changed into Mabululu's path from Fredy's nook. which was brilliantly denied by Stanley Nwabili.
Nevertheless, whether or not that strike would have held was questionable as TV replays reportedly confirmed Mabululu in an offside place. However that woke Nigerians from their slumber because the Tremendous Eagles powered their means into the match.
First got here Victor Osimhen heading off Frank Onyeka's supply. This time, the Napoli striker once more had a aim in sight from Moses Simon, the goalkeeper, however his header ended up straight into the arms of goalkeeper Antonio Dominique. Osimhen proved greater than a handful for the Angolans, but it surely was Lookman who broke the impasse for the Tremendous Eagles after a devastating break.
Tremendous Eagles gamers have fun with Ademola Lookman after the striker gave Nigeria the lead towards Angola. Photograph: AFP
Simon eased previous Kialonda Gaspar and trapped Lookman to drive the ball house with a medical first-time left-footed end.
The Tremendous Eagles seemed to tighten their grip on the match after the break and had probabilities to increase their lead, but it surely was the Angolans who got here inside inches of leveling the rating after substitute Zini rattled the Nigerian publish with a strike from shut vary .
That woke the Nigerians from their slumber and Osimhen seemed to have lastly etched his title on the scoresheet after turning house from Lookman's free-kick, however VAR dominated out the hassle after a marginal offside transfer.
Nonetheless, the Tremendous Eagles did sufficient to defeat a gutsy Angolan facet who will go away AFCON with their heads held excessive after falling quick of their goal of constructing their first ever semi-final look.
In the meantime, the Tremendous Eagles' quest to win a fourth AFCON title continues in a semi-final towards the winners of Saturday's match between Cape Verde and South Africa in Bouaké.
