AFCON 2023: Nigeria stay in control to send uninspired Angola home

One of the surprises of the AFCON, Angola see their run end at the quarter-final stage. Nigeria read the game better. They controlled it almost from start to finish against an Angola side who looked short of ideas against Nigeria's well-organised tactical set-up. Going back over how the match unfolded, Nigeria showed their intentions from the first whistle, with an opening move that ended in a shot being parried. There was no feeling-out period, and Angola responded by showing they were just as determined to win. After a long spell of possession that led to a corner, Mabululu came close to scoring with a shot that was miraculously saved by Nigeria goalkeeper Nwabali (3rd min).

The pace of the game then dropped, with Nigeria dictating the tempo and holding possession, but their play was too predictable in the final 25 metres to unpick a compact, well-drilled Angolan defence. The few half-chances that followed came from Osimhen, who was very willing in this match, dropping deep often to help bring the ball up through the Nigerian block. He had his first chance in the 14th min, a header over the bar. It was Nigeria's 1st shot of the match. Angola, sitting deep, made themselves felt through Gilberto's explosive runs. He put on a show down his flank, but was always hauled back. He lacked support. Osimhen, the Super Eagles' spearhead, had another opening with a header from a Lookman cross from the right wing in the 23rd min, but Angola goalkeeper Signori held the ball at the second attempt. There was another deflection of a long throw-in in the 34th min. The ball went well wide of the goal.

On their first quick attack, Nigeria punish Angola with a Lookman goal

Finally, in the 40th min, Nigeria, who had been utterly dominant, managed to launch a fast break. After a one-two in midfield with a team-mate, Iwobi switched play superbly to Sanusi on the left. He found Moses Simon, who raced past Gaspar, who had appeared well in front. The Nigerian speedster then picked out a very composed cut-back from inside the area for Lookman, who, unmarked, hit an unstoppable shot past the Angola goalkeeper. It was his 3rd goal of the tournament! A deserved 1-0 half-time lead for Nigeria, who had made the better impression!

Even so, the numbers were not striking: Nigeria had 54% possession and 6 shots, 2 of them on target. Angola had 46% possession and 5 shots, with 2 on target. On the Angolan side, Gilberto looked the only player who rose to the occasion.

Nigeria dominate without pulling clear

Nigeria started the second half very strongly. They created two chances in quick succession through Iwobi, with a deflected shot that went only just wide. Then Sanusi, in the 46th, missed his shot when he was in an ideal position. Lookman, on fire, then caused havoc in the defence, but fortunately for Angola his cross found no one (49th). Again, in the 57th, Calvin Bassey missed a clear chance from a corner, probably slightly hampered by Osimhen, when he was ideally placed.

Against the run of play, Angola had a good chance to equalise (58th). After a Nigerian loss of possession in midfield, Angola forward Zini was sent straight through. His curled shot hit the post. Nigeria regained control of the match, with Simon and Lookman, both sharp on the day, causing the Angolan defence problems. But luckily for the Palancas Negras, they finished their moves poorly or got their final passes wrong.

Then Osimhen, in a match Nigeria had under control, thought he had been rewarded for his efforts, with his favourite routine, a header from a free-kick. But he was offside (75th). Osimhen had another chance to score in the 80th, but a vital intervention from Gaspar stopped Nigeria pulling clear. Angola were close to breaking point. The Palancas Negras came to life in the 88th min. Luvumbo created a chance on his own after a run down the flank. He unleashed a curler from 25 m that was pushed away by Nwabali, who had little to do in this game. There were no more chances in the match, with Nigeria managing the game and deservedly going through to the semi-finals, where they await the winner of South Africa v Cape Verde. That match is scheduled for Saturday 03 February.

#ToutPourLaCAN 🌍 : Ademola Lookman 🇳🇬 breaks the deadlock 😍 pic.twitter.com/ccf899Gh68

— CANAL+ SPORT Afrique (@cplussportafr) February 2, 2024