:format(webp)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/grupoclarin/RFZRYF3HO5HZXPGBTSYUO3FEGM.jpg "Nigeria continues without conceding and reaches the semi-final of the African Cup by beating Angola 1-0")
ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast (AP) — Ademola Lookman scored again and led Nigeria to the semifinals of the African Cup of Nations with a 1-0 victory over Angola on Friday.
Victor Osimhen failed to score after having a goal disallowed for offside, but he had another outstanding performance to lead the “Super Eagles” to victory in the first quarterfinal match. They did not concede for the fourth consecutive game.
Nigeria needed goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali — who returned after being stretchered off in the win over Cameroon — to deflect Angola’s Mabululu’s shot early.
But Nigeria ended up dominating in possession and scoring opportunities. Lookman finally scored in the 41st minute after Moses Simon broke away from his rivals and ran before passing the ball to him. It was Lookman’s third goal of the tournament after scoring two against Cameroon.
The Super Eagles maintained dominance in the complementary half, but Osimhen inadvertently prevented another good opportunity to extend Calvin Bassey’s score.
The Napoli star thought he had sealed the win with a header after a Lookman free kick in the 75th, but the VAR disallowed the goal for offside.
Nigeria and Angola entered the stadium between pre-match dances in another match in the intense heat and humidity in Abidjan. The temperature reached 32 degrees Celsius at the start of the game.
Nigeria coach José Peseiro prioritized defense. Nigeria had never won four matches in a row without conceding in this tournament.
Later, Guinea faces Congo in the second quarterfinal match. Guinea claimed its first victory in the round of 16 at the African Cup, while Congo has failed to win in regulation time as it attempts to win its first tournament since 1974.