Angola

The Super Eagles of Nigeria beat Angola to advance into the semi-finals game of the ongoing 2023 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup in Cote d’Ivoire on Friday.

A lone goal from Ademola Lookman in the 41st minute gave Nigeria the lead and victory.

In a highly contested match at the 33,000-capacity Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan, Nigeria emerge victorious, securing a coveted spot in the AFCON semi-finals.

The keenly fought battle showcased the resilience and prowess of the Nigerian team, solidifying their journey towards AFCON glory.

Four yellow cards were in between the team, with the Palancas Negras getting three and Nigeria, one

The Senegalese referee, Issa Sy overruled a 75th minute header from Napoli striker, Victor Osihmen.

45′ Three minutes have been added as additional minutes.

41′ Moses Simon beats his man on the left. Perfectly lays it for Ademola Lookman who wasted no time scoring. Nigeria leads 1-0.

GOOOOAAAAAAAAAL!!!! Nigeria scores

36′ Aina’s dangerous throw-in from the right troubles the Angolan defence but Osimhen could only direct his header wide.

35′ We are back again. The Eagles still finding it hard to break the resolute defence

COOLING BREAK! We are into half an hour mark. Still goalless in Abidjan.

23′ An inch-perfect cross from Simon on the right to Osimhen but the Angolan goalkeeper calmly picks the resulting header.

17′ Aina shackled down for a free kick to Nigeria.

16′ Super Eagles gradually finding their rhythm. Osimhen earlier had his dumping header over the post.

08′ Lookman crowded out when having a shot after a nice cross from Simon.

07′ Iwobi whips in a cross to find Osimhen but the Angolan defender clears it for a corner kick.

In the other round, the Eagles, chasing a fourth championship, beat five-time champions, Cameroon while Pedro Soares Goncalves’ side who have already set their best group stage record, went a step further beating Namibia 3-0.

TEAM NEWS: Goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali who picked up an injury against Cameroon starts in goal. Two-goal hero on Saturday, Ademola Lookman, joins African best footballer, Victor Osimhen upfront as coach Jose Peseiro named an unchanged lineup.

NIGERIA XI: Stanley Nwabali, Troost Ekong (captain), Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, Zaidu Sanusi, Frank Onyeka, Alex Iwobi, Ola Aina, Ademola Lookman, Moses Simon and Victor Osimhen

For Angola, First-choice goalkeeper Neblu who saw red in the last game has been replaced by Signori Antonio in the line-up. Gelson Dala and Mabululu, who have both combined for seven of the nine goals netted by the Palancas Negras start tonight

ANGOLA XI: Antonio Signori, Jonathan Buatu, Kialonda Gaspar, A. To Carneiro, Eddie Afonso, Fredy, Estrela, Show, Gilberto, Gelson Dala, A. Mabulul

The game kicks off at 6 pm.

After a week of thrill and drama that saw hosts, Cote d’Ivoire stage one of the biggest comebacks in the competition, the stage is now set for the Quarter-final phase of the Africa Cup of Nations Cote d’Ivoire 2023.

The Quarter-Finals will be played between Friday, February 2, 2024 and Saturday, February 3.

All the eight remaining countries that will contest the Quarter-Finals have been confirmed with South Africa booking the last spot after eliminating FIFA World Cup semi-finalists, Morocco in a drama-filled match in San Pedro.

The 34th edition of Africa’s biggest football spectacle has been nothing short of exceptional, thanks to the quality of football, unexpected twists and turns, and of course the passionate supporters of the African game that have come out in their large and colourful numbers across the five host cities in Cote d’Ivoire.

Three-time champions, Nigeria face Angola in the first quarter-final fixture on Friday, February 2 at 17h00 before the Democratic Republic of Congo, who are in search of their third AFCON title, face a resilient Guinea in the late evening Kick off at 20h00.

On Saturday, February 3, hosts Cote d’Ivoire, still brimming with confidence, will come against a formidable Mali side who have been dominant in the competition.

At 20h00, Cape Verde, one of the sensations in this event, take on South Africa.

AFCON 2023 Quarter-Finals Fixtures:

Friday, 02 February

17h00 GMT | Nigeria v Angola

20h00 GMT | DR Congo v Guinea

Saturday, 03 February

17h00 GMT | Mali v Cote d’Ivoire

20h00 GMT | Cape Verde v South Africa