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AFCON 2023 Day 13 Reviews: Super Eagles pick on Indomitable Lions as Nigeria, Angola secure quarter-final spots

(Made In Africa Sport) – It was a pleasant evening for the Nigerian football faithful as the Super Eagles outclassed neighbours Cameroon in their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023, with commentary from former Super Eagles’ forward Daniel Amokachi to serenade them. The Indomitable Lions succumbed 2 – 0 to a determined Nigerian team on Saturday, 27 January 2024, as Atalanta striker Ademola Lookman scored in both halves to secure a spot in the last eight for the Super Eagles. 

Semi Ajayi’s rebound goal in the eighth minute signalled the Super Eagles’ intent, as the defender tapped in from close range after Fabrice Ondoa saved Alex Iwobi’s shot from distance. The goal was chalked off for an offside, but that didn’t stop the Nigerians from calling again. 

Victor Osihmen showed world-class dominance in the 35th minute, pressing the Cameroonian defence into error before holding off his marker to find an unmarked Ademola Lookman. The forward slipped his finish beneath the diving Ondoa as Nigeria went one goal up. The Super Eagles defence also kept a high level of discipline, frustrating their opponents to the point of not having a shot on target, which special credits to Calvin Bassey and William Troos-Ekong for keeping the three-man defence throughout the game.

Ola Aina had his chance to double Nigeria’s advantage in the 85th minute, after a flowing move down the left flank saw Moses Simon lay off an inviting pass for the fullback, but his shot met a firm block in the Cameroonian box. The much needed second goal came in the last minute of regular time, as Calvin Bassey, who had been lively since moving out wide on the left, played in a beautiful low cross for Llookman to stab past Ondoa. Again, the goalie got a hand to it, but he couldn’t stop the goal from flying in. 

Aina floated in another cross from the right, but the Indomitable Lions reacted quickly enough to deny the Super Eagles a third goal. The Indomitable Lions, much like some other AFCON giants, have slipped below the level of champions, and it was all so clear that they were no match for their Nigerian counterparts. There has been a mass shuffling of backroom staff across the continent, but maybe what the Indomitable Lions need is some shuffling on the pitch.

Earlier in the day, Angola cruised to a 3 – 0 victory in their AFCON 2023 round of 16 game against Namibia, as Agostinho Mabululu stole the show with his 65th minute curler, capping a fine performance from the Sable Antelopes. The game looked to tilt for the Brave Warriors after the Angolan goalie Adilson Neblu saw red in the 17th minute for his rash challenge outside of the box on Peter Shalulie.

Substitute goalie Antonio Signori was called to action just moments in, as he saved a chipped freekick to keep the game deadlocked. The Sable Antelopes seemed the more energetic side after the red card, as they mounted a strong press that paid off twenty minutes after, when captain Fredy squared a lovely ball in the six-yard box for Gelson Dala to net. The game returned to a balance in numbers, as Lubeni Haukongo saw a yellow then a red card in the 40th minute and the Brave Warriors were reduced to ten men. 

The resulting freekick saw Fredy and Dala combine for a second goal, as the winger netted his fourth goal of the tournament from a well-placed header, providing a two-goal cushion for the Sable Antelopes by half-time. Second half action saw the Sable Antelopes dominate possession as though they hadn’t scored, as Mabululu went close to scoring in the 58th minute before finding the back of the net in the 65th minute with some delicate footwork. The striker moves up to three goals on the top scorers’ chart, one behind his teammate Dala, and two behind Equatorial Guinea’s Emilio Nsue. The Brave Warriors prodded for a consolation of sorts, but it was Angola who would have added another goal, as a shot from distance ricocheted off the crossbar in stoppage time. 

With that win, Angola progress through to the quarter-finals where they face a huge test against the Super Eagles of Nigeria. Both teams have been top performers in the AFCON 2023, and it goes without saying that it is a fairly balanced tie. For now, attention switches to underdogs Equatorial Guinea, who have enjoyed a brilliant start to the competition, and will be taking on Guinea in their last 16 tie.

The Pharaohs will be up against DR Congo later in the night, as they continue their charge for AFCON glory without the injured Mo Salah. The road to the AFCON 2023 finals is well underway.

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