Gutsy showing from the Super Eagles
Nigeria’s performance tonight was a brave one. Their defence was resolute in the face of Angola’s verve and up front, they had the incision to repeatedly break through their opponents. They won by a single goal but this was a statement performance from the Super Eagles, who move one step closer to winning their fourth AFCON title.
Full time
Nigeria are through to the semifinals.
Angola pushed hard in added-time but created little of substance. A valiant effort from them but Nigeria are the worthy winners.
FT: Nigeria 1-0 Angola
Luvumbo’s shot is saved
Luvumbo cuts in from the right and shoots but his shot is dealt with easily by Nwabali. He got power behind that but it lacked direction.
Meanwhile, Osimhen has been stretchered off for cramp but amazingly, Nigeria haven’t got a player on in place of him. Nigeria currently with 10 on the pitch, defending a one goal lead in a quarterfinal. Madness.
There will be seven minutes of added time.
90 mins: Nigeria 1-0 Angola
Goal disallowed
Osimhen’s joy is cut short as he’s adjudged to have strayed offside. Nigeria fans in the stands are in disbelief.
Play is paused for a cooling break.
78 mins: Nigeria 1-0 Angola
Goal!
Osimhen scores!
75 mins: Nigeria 2-0 Angola
Gaspar goes into the book
He finds himself on-on-one with Osimhen and in his attempts to get to the bouncing ball, he’s penalised for raising his boot too close to Osimhen’s face. Good thing the Napoli man has some cover there.
72 mins: Nigeria 1-0 Angola
Changes for Angola
Fredy and Gilberto go off.
Bruno Paz and Zito Luvumbo come on.
68 mins: Nigeria 1-0 Angola
Lookman scores for Nigeria!
Ademola Lookman follows up his brace in the Round of 16 with the opener in the quarterfinal. Moses Simon skips past a couple of challenges on the left and squares in the box for Lookman to lash home.
41 mins: Nigeria 1-0 Angola
Angola keep pushing
The goal hasn’t hindered Angola. Just moments after Lookman’s goal, they go down the other end and come close to finding an equaliser. Expect more goals here.
Second half under way
Can Angola find a way back or will Nigeria hold firm?
Resilience from Nigeria
The Angola attack has found no flight in the face of this Super Eagles defence. Calvin Bassey, in particualr, has been imperious at the back. However, he becomes the first player in the game to pick up a yellow after a skirmish with Gilberto.
If Angola are to find a way through, it will take a piece of individual brilliance. So far, Nigeria have it locked down.
56 mins: Nigeria 1-0 Angola
