AFCON 2023: 5 things we learnt as Super Eagles beat Angola to qualify for semi-final

Nigeria’s 1-0 victory over Angola has allowed them to advance to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations semifinal.

Ademola Lookman scored the game’s only goal by capping off a brilliant Super Eagles move.

In the first half, Lookman came into the box to smash home a cutback from Moses Simon.

He scored three goals in the competition after scoring twice against Cameroon in Round 16.

The team led by Jose Peseiro has advanced to the semifinal, where they will take on the winner of the match between Cape Verde and South Africa in the Round of eight.

On Friday, Nigeria became the first nation to advance to the Africa Cup of Nations semifinals.

What five lessons did we take away from the game, though?

1. Lookman is making a name for himself: Nigeria’s top scorer in the competition is currently the Atalanta winger. He scored his third goal of the season against the Palancas Negras. Lookman has been crucial for the Super Eagles throughout the AFCON knockout stages. He scored twice as the team eliminated Cameroon in Round 16.
2. Aina, Zaidu, and Ajayi were poor: Despite keeping a clean sheet for the fourth time in the competition, Nigeria’s defense lacked quality versus Angola. Ajayi was unsteady, Zaidu was extremely poor, and Ola Aina was not his normal, trustworthy self. The players facing Nwabali must be ready for the trophy to be in sight.
3. Victor Osimhen is in severe need of a goal: Osimhen was unsuccessful in another game. Technically speaking, he had the ball in the net, but a VAR check for offside caused the goal to be nullified. The Napoli striker has scored just one goal thus far. A striker lives for goals despite his enormous contribution to the team.
4. South Africa or Cape Verde: South Africa or Cape Verde will face the Super Eagles next. On Saturday, the two nations will square off in their quarterfinal match. They are both familiar with Nigeria, particularly with Bafana Bafana, with whom they share a fierce rivalry.
5. Peseiro meets NFF target: After signing a contract extension last year, Jose Peseiro received a directive from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to advance to the 2023 AFCON semifinals. Despite a difficult start to the campaign, the Portuguese has finally accomplished that success, mostly because of his adjustment to a 3-4-3 tactical formation.

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