The Super Eagles on Saturday progressed to the quarter-finals of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations after a 2-0 win over Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Ivory Coast on Saturday evening.
With the win, Nigeria will now play Angola in the quarter-finals February 2, as they hope to claim a fourth continental title after previous wins in 1980, 1994 and 2013.
It was a blockbuster clash that had generated reviews as the old rivals squared off yet again at the continental showpiece, but it was the Nigerians who made short work of their eastern neighbours with a comfortable victory in Abidjan.
The Indomitable Lions had the first attempt, with Moumi Ngamaleu sending an early effort wide inside the box in the third minute.
The Super Eagles then responded with two forays into the Cameroonian defence with reigning African Player of The Year Victor Osimhen stopped by defender Christopher Wooh just outside the penalty area in the fourth minute, while the Napoli striker’s header was comfortably saved by Cameroon keeper Fabrice Ondoa a minute later.
The Eagles then had a goal disallowed in controversial circumstances after defender Semi Ajayi found target in the ninth minute off Ademola Lookman’s corner.
Moroccan referee Redouane Jiyed ruled out the goal for offside after consulting the Video Assistant Referee.
Following the disallowed goal, the Eagles eased off the pressure and Cameroon forward Frank Magri sends a volley from just inside the penalty area high into the stands after 16 minutes.
The Eagles, however, broke the deadlock in the 36th minute after Osimhen displayed strength and alertness to win possession off Lions defender Oumar Gonzalez just outside the penalty area, then picked out Ademola Lookman with a diagonal pass to the right of the penalty area and the Atalanta winger’s shot squeezed in through Ondoa’s gloves to give Nigeria the lead.
The Eagles didn’t relent and piled on the pressure on their bitter rivals, with Ondoa coming out early twice to prevent the rampaging Osimhen from wreaking havoc.
Stand-in captain William Troost-Ekong was alert to deny the Cameroonians in the 59th minute after André-Frank Zambo Anguissa found Karl Toko-Ekambi inside the box.
Osimhen won a foul right on the edge of the box a minute later but Lookman blew his effort wide.
Impressive goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, who was virtually on holidays asked to be replaced in the 80th minute after a collision with Cameroon winger Georges-Kévin N’Koudou, with erstwhile first choice Francis Uzoho coming on for his first game of the tournament.
Veteran striker Vincent Aboubakar, 32, came on for defender Gonzalez as Cameroon switched to a more attacking formation.
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