Nigeria soar into AFCON semi-finals, beat Angola 1-0

Nigeria's Super Eagles triumphed over Angola, securing their spot in the semi-finals of the 2023 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup in Cote d’Ivoire with a decisive victory on Friday. Ademola Lookman's lone goal in the 41st minute showcased the team's resilience and skill, solidifying their journey towards AFCON glory at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan.

The intense match, witnessed by a crowd of 33,000, featured a highly contested battle resulting in four yellow cards, three for Palancas Negras and one for Nigeria. Despite a disallowed 75th-minute goal from Victor Osimhen, who later scored his second but was ruled offside after a Video Assistant Referee check, Nigeria held on to their lead amidst missed chances on both sides.

Angola demonstrated strength with 52% possession and better shots on target, yet Nigeria's defensive prowess prevailed. The Palancas Negras had 15 total shots compared to the Super Eagles' 48, with four shots on target for Angola and three for Nigeria. Despite the Angolan team's three-corner kick advantage, playing seven to Nigeria's four, they couldn't overcome the determined Super Eagles.

Osimhen, the 2023 CAF men’s player award winner, faced numerous fouls, leading to his substitution. The Angolans committed 18 fouls compared to Nigeria's 10 throughout the game. Looking ahead, Nigeria will face the winner of Cape Verde vs. South Africa at the 40,000-capacity Peace Stadium in Bouake on February 7, 2024, with the AFCON tournament continuing until February 11, 2024.