The Super Eagles of Nigeria will be playing at an Africa Cup Of Nations (AFCON) semi-final for the first time in five years npflupdates.com reports.
The three-time African champions achieved the feat after beating the Sable Antelopes of Angola on Friday (yesterday) evening at the Stade Felix Houphouët Boigny.
Also read: Osimhen : Ask Opponent Defenders What They Suffered Against The Important Forward – Peseiro
Goal by Atalanta Bergamasca winger Ademola Lookman, was the only difference between the two sides. Although both sides missed a couple of goal-scoring chances; with Angola coming close to an equaliser by hitting the bar.
Two key things can be extracted from the Super Eagles victory; and they include the following:
First, Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali breaks a 44-year record as a Super Eagles goalkeepers. This record he achieved by ensuring and going for 4 consecutive games without conceding a goal in a major tournament.
He surpassed Best Ogedegbe’s 1980 record and Alloy Agu’s 1990 3-game streak
The 27-year-old goalkeeper, made his Super Eagles debut in a major tournament against Equatorial Guinea earlier this year. And has since then established himself as the the Super Eagles first choice goalkeeper.
Secondly; Nigeria’s midfield is not creating enough goal-scoring chances for the striking department which boasts of Victor Osimhen, Moses Simon and Ademola Lookman. Failure to create chances for the strikers, the three-time African champions may not stand a chance against its semi-final opponent.
In other stories relating to the Super Eagles
Victor Osimhen reply critics after helping the Super Eagles qualify for the semi-final stages of the 2023 AFCON tournament.
“Talk is Cheap!!! Na on top field we go dig am, congratulations to the team. Unto the next one. Respect to the Angola team,” the Napoli man posted on his Instagram story.
Super Eagles reminisce about Samuel Okwaraji
“Today’s victory over Angola is a poignant reminder of the adamant spirit of Nigerian football. 🇳🇬⚽️ As we celebrate this triumph, we also honor the memory of Late Samuel Sochukwuma Okwaraji, who tragically left us while playing against Angola 35 years ago. His passion for the game and sacrifice will never be forgotten. Rest in peace, Samuel Okwaraji, your legacy lives on. #WeRememberOkwaraji #RIP,” the Super Eagles reminisce the demise of playmaker Samuel Okwaraji who died in 1989 playing for Nigeria against Angola.
Peseiro talks about Super Eagles victory against Angola
“We did well in the first half, counter-attacking a lot, and putting #Angola under pressure… In the second half, they came to attack us and we had some difficult moments… @NwabaliBobo made two saves… I want my teams to attack and defend together… Mistakes from the middle caused the clear chance that Angola had,” Peseiro told newsmen after the Super Eagles quarter-final clash.
What Angola coach Pedro Goncalves said about Nigeria
“I would like to congratulate the #Nigerian team. They have a very strong squad. It was a demanding game… Trying to mourn about this defeat is not a good attitude to have… Our strikers didn’t perform. #Nigeria were more efficient,” Pedro Goncalves told newsmen in a post-match presser.
Also read: Rohr : Super Eagles Are Currently AFCON Favourites, They Have Stability
Peter Obi talks about his experience in Abidjan for Nigeria R8 fixtures
Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the last general election, and a former governor of Anambra state H.E Peter Obi, posted on X;
“It was truly a delightful and uplifting experience for me today, as I joined other Nigerians to watch Nigeria’s National Team, the Super Eagles, live in Abidjan, Ivory Coast Capital, as they cruised to the semi-final of the ongoing AFCON tournament.”
