Forward Ademola Lookman at the double as Nigeria beat rivals Cameroon to reach the quarter-finals of the 2023 AFCON tournament in Cote d’Ivoire, www.aclsports.com reports.
Jose Peseiro’s side played their best game yet as they beat Cameroon at Stade Felix Houphouët-Boigny in their round of 16 clash on Saturday. Lookman scored in either half to help the Super Eagles maintain their AFCON unbeaten run over the Indomitable Lions since 2000.
The game got on to the best possible start for the Super Eagles when defender Semi Ajayi bundled one in off a goalmouth melee, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside after a lengthy VAR check.
Bar that disallowed goal, not much happened in the half until Nigeria’s goal with less than 15 mins left to play. Victor Osimhen, who has been criticised a lot for being underwhelming, robbed the Cameroon defender of the ball before showing immense strength to play the ball onto the path of Ademola Lookman to score, despite some late efforts from goalkeeper Fabrice Ondoa.
Jose Peseiro’s men took the lead into the break, while goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali was barely tested.
After the interval, the Super Eagles kept the same defensive shape, allowing Rigobert Song’s men to keep the ball and dominate play.
In the half’s notable event, Nwabali, who was injured by Georges Nkoudou, was replaced by reserve goalkeeper Francis Uzoho with about 15mins to go, while Vincent Aboubakar also came on for the Indomitable Lions.
Meanwhile, Nigeria still went ahead to create more chances in the final moments only for Alex Iwobi and Ola Aina to miss from range when they should be doing better. However, when Lookman made it 2-0 from Calvin Bassey’s cross in injury time, the win was not in doubt as the Super Eagles return to the final eight since the 2019 edition of the competition.
Going forward, the Super Eagles will now face Angola in the quarter-final on February 2nd at the same venue.
