By Daniel Mfoniso
Nigeria advanced to the semi-finals of the on-going CAF Nations cup as they defeat Angola by Lone goal at Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
The Palancas Negras, who have been one of the surprise teams of the competition so far, were seeking to record their first victory over the Super Eagles since 2004 world cup qualifiers. As the Super Eagles were seeking to advanced to the next stage of the tournament with another clean sheet.
Bidding to reach their first semi-final, Angola made a bright start and were denied in the fourth minute when Stanley Nwabali kept out Mabululu’s close-range volley to keep the Super Eagles in the game.
However, it was Nigeria that broke the deadlock in the 41st minute. When Simon skipped away from Kialonda Gaspar’s sliding challenge to square the ball for Ademole Lookman to score his 3rd goal in the competition just four minutes before half time.
Although, the Palancas Negras, came close to equalising before the hour mark, As Substitute Zine latched onto a through ball to beat Nwabali, only to see his first-time shot came off the up-right.
Meanwhile, the VAR denied Victor Osimhen’s powerful header was chalked off by the VAR for offside after he beat the Antonio Signori from Lookman’s free-kick, But the Super Eagles held out to secure their passage into the semifinals.
Therefore, Jose Peseiro’s men will be waiting for the result of South Africa vs Cape Verde match tomorrow to know their semifinal opponent on Wednesday, 7th February by 6:00pm Nigerian time.
