Nigeria vs Angola LIVE: Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final result, final score and reaction as Super Eagles win
The favourites for the 2024 Afcon take on an impressive Angola outfit who have top-scored at the tournament so far
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Your support makes all the difference.The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations has reached the quarter-final stage and the first of those took place in Abidjan on Friday evening, with Nigeria knocking out Angola after a 1-0 victory.
It’s now four clean sheets in a row for the Super Eagles, who look defensively solid and to have a platform for success, despite possessing some of the best attacking talents with the likes of Victor Osimhen in their squad. Tonight though - as in the round of 16 - it was Ademola Lookman who scored the winner, netting in the first half for what turned out to be the only goal of the game.
Osimhen did find the back of the net but saw his goal ruled out for offside, while Angola rarely threatened to find a late equaliser in truth. Nigeria will play South Africa or Cabo Verde in the semis. Follow all the reaction to Nigeria vs Angola below and get all the latest Afcon odds and tips here.
88’ - Nigeria 1-0 Angola
Two tame, curled efforts on target for Angola - easily dealt with. They need a really big finish here; the attack has been a positive for them throughout the Afcon but they’ve fallen short in that regard so far tonight.
84’ - Nigeria 1-0 Angola
Iwobi and Onyeka are replaced by Yusuf and Aribo. Nigeria just trying to run down the time and we’re into the final five or so, plus whatever the referee adds on.
Osimhen plays in Lookman but twice in a row goalkeeper Antonio races out of his box to clear well. Good sweeper-keeping.
80' - Nigeria 1-0 Angola
Angola now pushing forward and Nigeria break into space behind them - it’s two on one briefly but Osimhen this time hesitates and can’t finish the chance.
NO GOAL! 75’ - Nigeria 1-0 Angola
And that’s confirmed - Osimhen was fractionally offside and the strike is ruled out. Still 1-0 and time for a cooling break.
Angola have about 15 minutes plus stoppage time to try and find an equaliser.
GOAL! 75’ - Nigeria 2-0 Angola
Nigeria lead by two! A deep delivery finds Osimhen and his powerful header is parried by the keeper - but only into the top corner of his net!
It’s close though and will need a VAR check for offside.
74’ - Nigeria 1-0 Angola
Gaspar is booked now for Angola and he’s lucky it’s not a different colour perhaps - a very high boot which catches Osimhen in the head as the striker tries to race through. Mabululu also then sees yellow for protesting.
From the free-kick, Nigeria want a penalty for handball but the ref opts for a free-kick the other way.
Aina surges past two tackles, is taken down by Gelson Dala and he earns a third yellow card in quick succession for Angola.
70' - Nigeria 1-0 Angola
Onyeka blazes a trail down the left wing to create an overload but his low cross is aimless and not near Osimhen. Good opening but no end result.
Into the final 20 minutes we go; Angola haven’t yet started to push forward in greater numbers but they’ll have to soon enough, which might in turn leave more counter-attacking spaces for Nigeria to take advantage of. The Super Eagles are sitting increasingly deep in their defensive block for now.
66’ - Nigeria 1-0 Angola
Zaidu lifts a free-kick over the wall and on target but it’s soft and easily saved.
Bruno Paz and Luvumbo coming on for Angola. Gilberto and Fredy make way.
62’ - Nigeria 1-0 Angola
Simon with more wing wizardry now to get past two players and cut into the box from the left, but this time shoots himself and it’s blocked at close quarters.
Show then totally wipes out Lookman five yards outside the box and it should very much be a booking, but he somehow escapes a caution.
58’ - Nigeria 1-0 Angola
Zaidu delivers a corner which is met at the far post and sent back towards Osimhen in the six-yard box - but as he prepares a bicycle kick, Bassey leaps above him and towers a header miles over the bar. The striker is distraught but his teammate arguably should have done better himself.
Straight up the other end a fantastic through ball puts Zini through on goal and his side-footed effort beats the keeper - but comes back off the post! Out of nothing, Angola’s best chance since the fourth minute and they almost equalise.
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