SUPER Eagles of Nigeria forward Ademola Lookman is confident that the team will grow into a more cohesive unit as they await Angola in the quarter-finals of the AFCON 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire.
Lookman scored the two goals on Saturday as the Super Eagles defeated the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon 2-0 in Abijdan to set up the quarter-final clash, which is scheduled for Friday.
The Atalanta star was voted Man of the Match but he insisted credit must go to his teammates too for the victory over Nigeria’s bitter rivals.
“Wow, we’re so happy to qualify for the quarter-finals,” Lookman said during his post-match interview.
“The more we play together, the more fluid we become. I’m standing here now but this award reflects the whole team’s performance.”
The 26-year-old former Everton and RB Leipzig star says he is enjoying his first AFCON experience as he made his Nigeria debut after the last edition.
“I love this atmosphere, it’s incredible. Our fans pushed us to the end because this was Cameroon, and when you wear the Super Eagles shirt, some games resonate more than others.”
Angola’s Palancas Negras are in good form and are unbeaten at AFCON 2023 like the Super Eagles, winning Group D with seven points and thrashing Namibia 3-0 in the round of 16.
Lookman said, regarding the quarter-final clash at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Abijdan: “Angola are a good team. We’ll analyse them and prepare. The further you go, the tougher it gets so we’ll take it game by game.”
While Nigeria have won the AFCON title thrice and finished runners-up four times, Angola are seeking to reach the semi-finals for the first time in their history.
