Lookman the Hero! Goal Sends Nigeria Flying into AFCON Semis
The Super Eagles of Nigeria continued their dominant run in the Africa Cup of Nations, defeating Angola 1-0 in a tense quarter-final encounter on Thursday. Ademola Lookman emerged as the hero, firing home the solitary goal in the 41st minute to send Nigeria soaring into the semi-finals.
The encounter at the Stade Ebimpe in Abidjan was a tight affair, with both sides showcasing defensive resilience. However, it was the Nigerians who controlled the tempo of the game, dictating possession and carving out more scoring opportunities.
Nigeria vs Angola Results, FULL Time Score
Their persistence paid off on the stroke of halftime when Moses Simon weaved his magic down the left flank, delivering a pinpoint cross that found Lookman unmarked in the box. The Atalanta winger made no mistake, directing a clinical header past the Angolan goalkeeper to erupt the Nigerian faithful in the stands.
Angola came out with renewed purpose in the second half, searching for an equalizer. They threatened sporadically, but the Nigerian defense, marshaled by the ever-reliable William Troost-Ekong, stood firm. In the end, the Super Eagles managed to see out the game, securing their place in the last four for the eighth time in their history.
Lookman’s goal not only propelled Nigeria to the semi-finals but also marked his third in the knockout stages, underlining his growing influence in the team. The win also extends the Super Eagles’ impressive defensive record, having conceded only one goal throughout the tournament so far.
As Nigeria gears up for their semi-final clash, the excitement amongst their fans is palpable. The quest for a fourth AFCON title remains firmly within their grasp, and with Lookman firing on all cylinders and the defense rock-solid, the Super Eagles are undoubtedly one of the favorites to lift the trophy.
