Valiant Super Eagles Glide Into AFCON Last Eight

The Super Eagles started the match on the front foot with Victor Osimhen causing all sorts of problems for the Cameroon defence, however, Nigeria’s initial attempt came in the 4th minute, with Osimhen’s header comfortably saved by Fabrice Ondoa from Ola Aina’s throw-in.

Nigeria continued to press and seemed to have been rewarded when Semi Ajayi scored from a goal-mouth scramble, but the goal was disallowed by the center referee Redouane Jiyed after consulting VAR.

Cameroon’s first shot on target came in the 23rd minute from Frank Magri, which was easily dealt with by Nigeria’s goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali.

Nigeria took the lead in the 36th minute when Osimhen dispossessed Oumar Gonzalez, squaring the ball to Ademola Lookman, whose low shot slide under the arm of Fabrice Ondoa and into the net despite a defender rushing to clear off the line.

Ten minutes into the second half Nigeria was denied a penalty after Osimhen was fouled by Ondoa; referee Jiyed, as the forward was ruled offside before the incident.

In the 80th minute, the Super Eagles suffered a setback when Nwabali was forced off due to injury following a collision from Georges-Kévin N’Koudou.

The Cameroonian wide man was issued a yellow card, while Francis Uzoho was brought on for his first game of the tournament.

Aina had a chance to double Nigeria’s lead in the 84th minute but couldn’t convert, while Alex Iwobi missed another opportunity three minutes later.

However, a few minutes later it was Lookman who sealed Nigeria’s victory with a well-taken finish at the end of normal time following a quick exchange involving him, Iwobi and Calvin Bassey; whose pinpoint cross was turned home beautifully by the Atalanta forward.

In added time, Nigeria had another chance, but Aina’s cross was cleared by Jean-Charles Castelletto.

The Super Eagles will face Angola in the quarter-finals, with Angola having advanced in a dominant 3-0 win against Namibia.