Nigeria defeated Angola 1-0 to reach the semi-finals of the 2023 AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire. Ademola Lookman’s 41st minute was enough for the Super Eagles to reach the last 4.

Friday’s match was the first between the nations in the AFCON but Nigerians remember Angola for 2 reasons: Nigeria was absent from the 2006 World Cup because they couldn’t defeat Angola in Kano. Sam Okwaraji died playing the national team against Angola.

Jose Peseiro started the same team that defeated Cameroon in the Round of 16 and the Angolans nearly drew first blood but Stanley Nwabali made a crucial save. He would go on to keep a clean sheet in the match – a 4th consecutive one for the Super Eagles in Cote d’Ivoire.

It is only the 3rd time Nigeria have kept 4 consecutive clean sheets in an AFCON edition with Stanley Nwabali equalling Ike Shorunmu (2002) & Best Ogedegbe’s record (1980) in the AFCON. Can he make it 5 clean sheets in a row in the semis?

Nigeria’s goal came from Moses Simon quick feet, receiving a pass from Zaidu before finding Lookman for the goal. Osimhen had the ball in the net in the second half but it was ruled out for offside.

Seems Jose Peseiro has found a formula that would take the team to the zenith of the competition. A lot of us didn’t give him and the team a chance but they now have either Cape Verde or South Africa on the way to the final.

My fear is on fatigue that comes with using a small set of players. The team has a predictable starting XI and the coach’s subs have been identical. Can Osimhen play like this for another 90mins? How do we ensure the players aren’t burnt out? Will Musa and/or Iheanacho feature before we leave Abidjan?

Overall, good play from the team. Good to see Peter Obi with the fans.

In the other semifinal of the day, DR Congo defeated Guinea 3-1 to reach the last 4.

Today, hosts Cote d’Ivoire have Mali while Cape Verde will battle South Africa.