How Lookman's goal saw Super Eagles through to semi final

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A Stanley Nwabali returned to goal for Nigeria to beat Angola in a quarter final match played in the ongoing African Cup of Nations, AFCON, IN Cote d’Ivoire.

The only goal of the match was scored by Lookman as coach Jose Peseiro retained the starting lineup that cruised past Cameroon in the Round of 16 for the match.

Nigeria had a good feel of the ball in the early stages, but the game’s first chance fell to the Angolans.

From a corner kick, the ball fell kindly to captain Fredy, but his poke home was blocked expertly by goalkeeper Nwabali.

Victor Osimhen had his header claimed easily by Angola’s goalkeeper.

However, Lookman broke the deadlock with the only goal of the match for the Super Eagles in the 40th minute.

Zaidu Sanusi picked out Moses Simon’s run on the left flank. The Nantes man danced past his marker before setting up Lookman, who made no mistake from seven yards out.

The goal placed Lookman into the record books as the fourth Nigerian to score three or more goals in the knockout rounds of a single AFCON edition, after Odion Ighalo in 2019 (4), Jay-Jay Okocha in 2004 (3) and Rashidi Yekini in 1994 (3).

Just before halftime, Nigeria could have doubled their lead, but Sanusi failed to find Osimhen when he was well-placed.

The second half started with the Super Eagles on the high, but Sanusi and Iwobi fired wide in succession from good positions in and around the box.

As the game approached the hour mark, Bassey headed just wide after a little mixup with Osimhen before the best chance of the match fell to Angola.

Zini beat the offside trap and rolled the ball past goalkeeper Nwabali, but the ball struck the post, and Troost-Ekong cleared to safety as Nigeria heaved a sigh of relief.

The chances continued to open up for the Super Eagles, and moments after Simon had his shot blocked after an excellent mazy run, Sanusi aimed a freekick for the top corner, only for goalkeeper Antonio Signori to make a fine save.

In the 77th minute, Nigeria celebrated a second goal after Osimhen nodded home a freekick but VAR ruled it off correctly for offside.

Both teams chances had chances to change the scoreline but Nigeria were the happier side when the referee blew the final whistle.

With the defeat of the Angolans, the Super Eagles have progressed to the semifinals where they will meet the winner of the quarterfinal fixture between Cape Verde and South Africa.