Ademola Lookman found the back of the net twice as Nigeria recorded a commanding 2-0 win over fierce rivals Cameroon in Saturday’s 2023 Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 clash at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Abidjan.
The Super Eagles made it into the knockout phase by finishing top of Group A ahead of Equatorial Guinea, Ivory Coast and Guinea-Bissau while the Indomitable Lions finished second in Group C behind reigning champions Senegal.
Nigeria started the brighter of the two sides on Saturday night and were in front as early as the ninth minute when Semi Ajayi fired in a rebounded shot. It was however ruled out for offside in the buildup to the goal.
The Eagles kept pushing for an opener and it finally came in the 36th minute when reigning African Player of the Year Victor Osimhen showed sheer strength to outmuscle an opposition defender before finding Lookman who fired a brilliant low shot into the back of the net.
Jose Peseiro’s side continued to hold on to their lead in the second half but were dealt a blow when goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, who has been ever-present in the Ivory Coast, went down injured in the 80th minute and taken off a stretcher after he landed awkwardly when he tried to claim the ball in the air.
Francis Uzoho came on in the Chippa United man’s place and the Super Eagles were still able to add one more goal thanks to another well-struck effort from Lookman after he was set up nicely by Fulham defender Calvin Bassey.
Lookman's brace enables the SuperEagles soar to the QUARTER FINALS!!
FULL TIME⏱️
Nigeria???????? 2-0 ????????Cameroon#Afrosport #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 #NGRCMR pic.twitter.com/obO64kzDuT
— AfroSport (@AfroSportTV) January 27, 2024
Nigeria have now made it to quarter-finals having failing to do so in the 2021 edition when they lost 1-0 to Tunisia in the Round of 16.
They will get to face Angola in the last eight following the Black Antelopes’ earlier victory over Namibia.
