Nigeria secured their place in the semi-finals of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire on Friday after defeating Angola 1-0 in Abidjan.
A first-half goal scored by Ademola Lookman sealed victory for the Super Eagles to grab their place in the last four.
Nigeria will face the winner of Saturday’s quarter-final match between Cape Verde and South Africa in the semi-finals scheduled to be played on Wednesday.
Here are six players who made the victory possible against the high-flying Angolans:
Victor Osimhen
Napoli striker Osimhen has been Nigeria’s driving force, showcasing skill and tireless industry.
He has been leading the line well for the Super Eagles, moving defenders off their positions and in the process providing opportunity for his team mates to score goals.
The reigning African football king continued where he left off in the last match against Cameroon.
Osimhen was a constant threat to the Angolans all through his time on the pitch on Friday night.
He thought he had doubled Nigeria’s lead with a header in the second half that the goalkeeper parried into his net but wild celebrations were cut short by VAR.
The Napoli star would later be substituted after sustaining a bruise believed not to be that serious.
Stanley Nwabali
Nwabali recovered to start in goal for the Super Eagles in their quarter-final match against Angola on Friday.
The 27-year-old goalkeeper was a doubt after being stretchered off the pitch in the round of 16 win over Cameroon in the 80th minute.
However, the Chippa United shot-stopper started in goal against Angola and he was his usual confident self all through the match, commanding his defence that shot out the Palancas Negras.
The victory is the fourth consecutive for the Super Eagles without conceding a goal, setting an AFCON record for Nigeria.
Also, the Eagles have conceded just once all through the tournament.
Ola Aina
The Nottingham Forest fullback has been one of the Super Eagles’ standout players so far in this competition.
He has been solid in defence and dangerous going forward.
His strength, pace and dangerous crosses have caused opponents many troubles. The qualities have offered the coaching crew the ability to tweak the line-up as the Nottingham Forest star is deployed as a wing back sometimes, adding to the attack when in possession and reverting to defence when out of possession.
On Friday, he gave the Angolans a lot of jobs to do. When the Eagles were trying to absorb the pressure from Angola after going a goal up, Aina was one of the outlets for counterattacks for the Nigerian team.
He interpreted his role well and contributed to the hard-fought victory in the quarter-final match.
Ademola Lookman
Lookman scored the only goal in the first half, making it three goals and an assist in five matches for him so far.
The goal today made him the fourth Nigerian to reach the tally in the knockout rounds of AFCON after Austin Okocha, Rashidi Yekini and Odion Ighalo.
He is one of the top beneficiaries of Osimhen’s selfless play.
Apart from his abilities in the final third, the Atalanta winger has also been contributing to the team’s defensive solidity. He made vital blocks and interceptions to keep the Super Eagles in control of the match.
William Troost-Ekong
Troost-Ekong is in his best form for the Super Eagles right now. The Nigerian defence, led by Troost-Ekong, has only conceded one goal in five matches, silencing concerns.
Angola are the surprise package, defying expectations by winning three straight games but the Nigerian skipper was in his usual no-nonsense mood throughout the match, helping the team to shut out dangers.
Gelson Dala and Mabululu who had seven goals between them before the quarter-final encounter with Nigeria were completely shut out.
Moses Simon
Simon is one of the players who had not been at his best for the Super Eagles before Friday’s match against the Angolans.
However, the Ligue 1 star proved the naysayers wrong this time, running at the Palancas Negras at will.
One of the runs provided the only goal of the match. On the stroke of half-time, the Nantes winger turned a provider, slipping in Lookman who slotted calmly beyond goalkeeper Guilherme da Costa to give Nigeria the lead.
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