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The Super Eagles were superb in their 1-0 win over Angola to book a place in the semi-final.
Lookman is supreme
With every match that Nigeria play at the 2023 AFCON, the decision to play Ademola Lookman out wide in other fixtures seems more ridiculous.
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19:58 - 02.02.2024
Nigeria vs Angola: Ademola Lookman lifts Super Eagles over Black Antelopes to book semi-final slot
Nigeria are into the final four of the African Cup of Nations after beating the Black Antelopes of Angola.
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20:10 - 02.02.2024
Ademola Lookman for President - Nigerians celebrate as Super Eagles knock out Angola to reach AFCON 2023 semifinal
See what Nigerians are saying about Ademola Lookman after the Super Eagles knocked out Angola to reach the AFCON 2023 semifinal.
The Atalanta forward has been absolutely supreme at the 2023 AFCON and secured his third goal of the tournament with a comfortable finish to give Nigeria a 1-0 lead.
Lookman appears a completely different player from the one that struggled to make any impact in many of the Super Eagles’ last matches and was one of the best players for Nigeria once again in the match with Angola.
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Moses Simon at wingback perhaps?
One assist, seven duels won, and 10 attempted. Moses Simon was an effective two way player for the Super Eagles against Angola, raising the question, why has he not been considered as an option at wing back?
Although it would technically be playing him out of his best position, Simon has shown that he has the needed attributes to survive as a wing-back with contributions at both ends of the pitch. If the struggles at wing-back, left wing back especially, continues, it seems only a matter of time before we see Simon at wing-back.
Super Eagles are the best team on the counter
Another excellent goal on the counter showed what the Super Eagles are capable of when they have space ahead of them to run.
The industry of Osimhen, the pace of Lookman, Zaidu Sanusi, and Simon, as well as the vision of the midfielders behind them means that Nigeria have a potent option on the break, which today broke the Palancas Negras and could be a handy tool in future matches.
Nigeria can do better than Zaidu Sanusi
The Porto full back was disappointing yet again, showing indecision in attack and absent mindedness in defence to leave his teammate on their tippy toes.
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Sanusi has been disappointing at the 2023 AFCON and has not done much to deter his persistent critics. An otherwise sore point in a superb performance by the Super Eagles.
Nigeria has the best defence at AFCON
Before coming into the match against Nigeria’s Super Eagles, Angola’s duo of Gelson Dala and Mabululu had amassed seven goals between them. Then they met the Super Eagles’ defence.
All both players had to show for the encounter was a yellow card each and two shots on goal between them.
The fourth clean sheet in five games means no other team has been as solid defensively as Nigeria’s Super Eagles and another defensive masterclass against one of the most potent teams in the competition puts Nigeria at the top of the defensive pile.
The Super Eagles are tired
In all the positives that could be seen during Nigeria’s win over Angola, the biggest negative was perhaps the obvious fatigue displayed by the Super Eagles players.
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Decisions, touches and energy levels were all clearly affected, especially as time wore on and recovery after a difficult quarterfinal must be paramount ahead of the semifinal against South Africa or Cape Verde.
Regular starters like Ola Aina, Frank Onyeka, and even Victor Osimhen appeared tired, raising the question, should they have been made to play all 90 minutes in the dead rubber against Guinea Bissau.
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