Lookman strike sends Nigeria into the last four
Nigeria became the first team into the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals after a 1-0 win over Angola in their quarter-final clash at Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium.
Ademola Lookman's first-half goal – his third of the tournament – ensured the victory, the Atalanta man smashing home in the 41st minute after winger Moses Simon found him in the box after a barn-storming run down his flank.
Nigeria will meet either surprise packet Cape Verde or South Africa in the last four, depending on which side wins their quarter-final on Sunday (AEDT).
Angola had its chances, Zini coming closest in the 59th minute as he was put through by a clever defence-splitting pass, but fired his shot against the post.
There was an even better chance as early as the fourth minute for Angola when a corner was flicked on at the near post and Mabululu saw his shot from two yards brilliantly saved by Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabili.
Victor Osimhen had Nigeria’s first real opportunity midway through the first half but his header was straight atAngola keeper Antonio Dominique.
The Napoli star thought he had scored in the 75th minute when he headed home from a free-kick, but a VAR check showed him to be offside and his wild celebration became wasted energy.
Osimhen had another chance five minutes after that when he was put through by Lookman on a breakaway, but his usually sharp instincts failed him as he again wasted the opportunity as Angola's defence recovered to clear the danger.
But it mattered little in the end as Nigeria moved through, and will likely be the favourite for the title now with so many of the other big guns having already fallen by the wayside.
