By In a crucial quarterfinal match of the Africa Cup of Nations, Nigeria secured their spot in the semifinals with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Angola. Ademola Lookman was the hero for Nigeria, scoring in the 41st minute after a well-executed play by Moses Simon. This marked Lookman’s third goal of the tournament, having previously netted both goals in the clash against Cameroon.
Nigeria’s goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, returned to action after being stretchered off in the previous match against Cameroon. He played a pivotal role, making crucial saves to deny Angola’s Mabululu an early lead. The Super Eagles’ defense remained resolute, not conceding a goal for the fourth consecutive game.
Despite Victor Osimhen’s goal being ruled out for offside and missing some late chances, Nigeria maintained control of the game, dominating in possession and creating numerous opportunities. Captain William Troost-Ekong emphasized the importance of concentration, especially after scoring, to avoid conceding goals immediately.
Nigeria’s tactical approach under coach José Peseiro was evident, with a defensive-minded 5-4-1 formation contributing to their success. Troost-Ekong praised the team’s collective defensive effort, highlighting that everyone, not just defenders and the goalkeeper, played a role in keeping opponents at bay.
The match saw a spirited performance from both teams in challenging weather conditions, with temperatures reaching 32 degrees Celsius (90 degrees Fahrenheit) at kickoff. Osimhen’s disallowed goal from a VAR review and late missed chances added drama to the game.
In the other quarterfinal clash, Congo secured a 3-1 victory over Guinea, marking their first win in normal time in the tournament. Chancel Mbemba, the Congo captain, redeemed himself after conceding an early penalty by scoring from a difficult angle. Yoane Wissa’s penalty and Arthur Masuakut’s free-kick sealed Congo’s place in the semifinals, their first since 2015. Congo, with their last title in 1974, overcame a group stage draw and a penalty shootout against Egypt to reach the quarterfinals.
