Nigeria beat Cameroon to set up Angola last eight clash at Africa Cup of Nations

Ademola Lookman bagged a brace on Saturday night to send Nigeria into the quarter-finals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations at the expense of their fellow west Africans Cameroon.

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Ademola Lookman (left) scored both of Nigeria's goals in their 2-0 win over Cameroon to advance to the quarter-finals at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. © AP / Sunday Alamba

The 26-year-old scored in each half to give José Peseiro's team a deserved victory at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan against glaringly limited opposition.

It was revenge of sorts for a Cameroon victory in the 1984 Africa Cup of Nations final over Nigeria at the same venue.

In the prelude to the latest clash, Cameroon boss Rigobert Song had urged his players to inhale the vapours of such a proud heritage and establish their own legacy.

But the modern band of brothers were unable to heed the rallying call.

From the outset, they seemed second best.

Nigeria thought they had make the breakthrough in the ninth minue but the video assistant referees intervened to highlight Semi Ajayi had returned from an off-side position before hooking the ball past Fabrice Ondoa in the Cameroon goal.

Chance

There was no technological reprieve for Cameroon nine minutes before the pause.

As Cameroon defender Oumar Gonzalez weighed up options for a pass, Nigeria forward Victor Osimhen muscled him off the ball, surged into the penalty area and passed to Lookman whose shot hit Ondoa before trickling over the line.

Even after the break, Cameroon failed to exhibit menace. A period of smart possession ended wanly with a wild slash that sailed high over the bar of Stanley Nwabali who was evengtually forced off after Georges-Kevin N’Koudou collided with him.

Song sent on veteran striker Vincent Aboubakar to salvage the game. But though the talisman inspired vitality, Nigeria had the chances to kill the match.

First Alex Iwobi walloped the ball outside Ondoa's right hand post and Ola Aina allowed Ondoa to save what should have been a tap-in.

Lookman settled affairs at the outset of stoppage-time.

Though 10 minutes of added time remained, the quarter-final berth against Angola was as good as sealed.

“We’re into the quarterfinals and we’ve worked so hard to be there,” Lookman said.

“We’re behind each other and we don’t take anything for granted. And I think it shows in our work ethic, how we fight for each other, how we defend, how we attack."

Cruise

Gelson Dala also scored twice in Angola's 3-0 victory over Namibia in Bouaké on Saturday afternoon. 

His first came after 37 minutes at the Stade de la Paix while Angola were down to 10 men following the dismissal of goalkeeper Adilson Neblu for handling outside his area.

His second came just after numerical parity had been restored with the expulsion of Lubeni Haukongo for a second bookable offence.

Mabululu scored the third mid way through the second half.

Angola last reached the quarter-finals of the competition in 2010 when they hosted the event.

Victory would give them a place in the semi-final for the first time. Nigeria lost to Algeria in the last four in 2019.