THE Super Eagles of Nigeria claimed the first semi-final spot of the AFCON 2023 Africa Cup of Nations tonight with a 1-0 victory over Angola in Abijdan, Cote d’Ivoire.
Ademola Lookman scored the only goal of the game in the first half as the three-time African champions reached their second semi-final in three editions of the continental showpiece.
It was the underdogs from Angola who had the brighter start though, as Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali was forced into a crucial save off a header from close range in the fourth minute.
The Super Eagles gradually took control of the game but did not create too many clearcut opportunities before the goal, except for a header from Victor Osimhen that was straight at Angola goalkeeper Antonio Signori.
The goal did come four minutes before half-time, Lookman sweeping home left-footed from inside the Angola box from a superb pass by Moses Simon.
It was Lookman’s third goal of the tournament after his brace against Cameroon on Saturday, and the Super Eagles took the lead into half-time.
There was much more action after the break, with Calvin Bassey heading over from inside the Angola box 13 minutes in as Osimhen attempted an overhead kick.
Almost immediately afterwards Angola came closest to the equaliser as a ball was slipped through the Super Eagles defence and the finish hit the base of the post with Nwabali beaten.
Osimhen thought he had given Nigeria a 2-0 lead with 14 minutes left of normal time, but his fine headed goal was found to be from an offside position after a VAR review.
The Napoli striker went very close again in the 81st minute after a pass from Lookman but he was denied by a desperate, last-gasp block.
The victory was slightly marred by knocks sustained by Frank Onyeka and Osimhen, who were taken off in the 87th and 90th minutes respectively.
The Super Eagles will in the semi-finals face the winners of tomorrow’s quarter-final tie between South Africa and Cape Verde.
The semi-final fixture is scheduled for Bouake on Wednesday.
