Ademola Lookman became the fourth Nigerian with 3 or more knockout goals at the African Cup of Nations, as Nigeria beat Angola, 1-0.
A friday evening classic at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny stadium in Abidjan unraveled as Ademola Lookman scored the only goal to separate both sides.
The game was the first meeting of both teams in AFCON history, and they wasted no time getting down to business. Angola getting a golden chance as early as the third minute with Cristavio Mabululu testing Nwabali’s reflexes from a flicked header.
Nigeria had just two shots on target in the first half, one of them being a Victor Osimhen header straight at the goalkeeper.
The second shot in the first half for the eagles turned out to be the difference maker. Moses Simon beating the angolan defence and passing into Ademola Lookman, who finished with certainty into the roof of the net, just before halftime.
Angola came out guns blazing in the second half, pushing for an equalizer. The palancras negras came closest in the 57th minute when they hit the woodwork with a 1-on-1 chance against Stanley Nwabali.
Nigeria thought they made it 2-0, when Victor Osimhen’s header was parried into the net in the 73rd minute, only to be ruled out by offside. The Super eagles held on and waved off Angolan attacks until the death, claiming a 1-0 win.
Moses Simon was awarded the man of the match award for a breathtaking performance, including an assist for the lone goal.
Nigeria now await the winners between Cape Verde and South Africa, who play on Saturday evening.
