2023 AFCON: Lookman Strikes As Super Eagles Scrape Pass Angola To Qualify For Semi-finals [VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS]

The Super Eagles of Nigeria scraped pass the Black Antelopes of Angola to book their place in the semifinals of 2023 AFCON, LCSoccerHub Reports.

Ademola Lookman scored his third AFCON goal for Nigeria to end Angola’s fairytale run in the tournament.

Nigeria started the game with a commanding trail but it was still drab and dour at both ends with the two sides unable to muster any reasonable chance.

Struggling with limited touches in each other’s half, the first half almost ended barren before Ademola Lookman raced the Super Eagles into the lead four minutes away from the break.

Moses Simon triggered the attack that saw the Atalanta winger nail home the beautiful finish. Having the ball on the left flank, Simon easily sped pass his opponent and found Lookman who finished brilliantly to give the three-time African champions the lead.

Victor Osimhen was also crucial for the goal as he pulled out Angola defenders to create space for Lookman to find the back of the net.

With four minutes left to the end of the first half, Angola, who have top-scored in the tournament, lurched forward in large numbers trying to find an equaliser but were held off by a defensive masterclass by the Super Eagles.

The Black Antelopes came into the second half fired up to bounce back. They pressed up the Super Eagles down their final third but were at the mercy of the unshakable defense of the AFCON title hopefuls.

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Exactly at the hour mark, the Black Antelopes nearly netted the equaliser but struck the post in a near-miss. Things went nervy going forward as the Super Eagles tried to secure the lead while the Angolans battled for equaliser.

Victor Osimhen found the back of the net for the Super Eagles in the 71st minute in what would have been a final blow for the Angolans but the goal was ruled out as offside after VAR check.

With a few minutes left to play, it was still 1-0 in favor of Nigeria but Angola were not giving up easily. Nigeria were reeling under heavy pressure but it was still a death end for the Angolans in the Super Eagles half.

At the blast of the final whistle, Nigeria finally saw off the contest to win and qualify for the semi-finals as Angola’s fairytale run in the competition came to an end.

The Super Eagles will now take on the winner between South Africa and Cape Verde to qualify for the final.

Video Highlights

https://youtu.be/p4AFvcLSmA4?si=8KlkFI5a6KQFjIBZ