CAN 2024: Nigeria gets rid of Angola and reaches the semi-final without straining its talent

It was a bit of a surprise team in these quarter-finals of the CAN 2024, the one that we did not expect at this stage of the competition, and yet once again Angola held its place. The best attack of the tournament with nine goals once again showed that it did not owe its place here to chance, but this time it was thanks to its defensive rigor that it gave Nigeria a hard time for the get out of its way.

Because it was the unknown that reigned before this match against the Super Eagles.

Offensively, the Palancas Negras had already shown their qualities with attackers like Gelson Dala and Mabululu, but faced with the Nigerian offensive armada, it is clear that Pedro Gonçalves' defenders have long been on par with Victor Osimhen and his teammates.

Lookman, him again

In a balanced match and with relatively few chances in the first half, while we were slowly heading towards a draw before half-time, it was Ademola Lookman who found the fault in the 40th minute of play on the first real successful offensive move by the Super Eagles. Well served by Moses Simon who dropped his defender on the left side, the Atalanta Bergamo striker, already an author of a double against Cameroon and alone at the penalty spot, was able to calmly crucify Signori Antonio, the Angolan goalkeeper replacing the usual holder of the position suspended for this match.

Well in place tactically during the first 45 minutes, the Angolans however marked time upon returning from the locker room against the Nigerians who were much less messy than in the first period. Not resigned for a penny, the Palancas Negras did everything to come back to the score. Often harmless against the serene Super Eagles and sure of their strength behind, the Angolans nevertheless almost succeeded in their attempt when, well launched in full depth, the striker Zini who entered at half-time hit the post while he was alone against Stanley Nwabali who was largely beaten on this one.

Nigeria not inspired

The rest of the match then took place at a false pace, which suited the Nigerians who were visibly aware of their defensive solidity and above all not inspired offensively, starting with Victor Osimhen, clearly less sharp than against Cameroon, but still also valuable for the collective. The Naples striker, however, thought he had unlocked his counter by heading a free kick into the Angolan goal, who had not scored in three matches, but the referee finally signaled him off-game.

With this victory acquired without straining their talent, the Super Eagles are the first to open the doors to the semi-finals where they will meet the winner of the quarter between Cape Verde and South Africa which will take place this Saturday 3 FEBRUARY. The Angolans, authors of their best result in a CAN, are exiting through the front door against undoubtedly superior opponents. They may, however, harbor some regrets at not having had that touch of success that could have turned a match around which the Nigerians were never really worried, about but which they never really got through either.

@RFI