5 takeaways from Nigeria’s AFCON quarterfinal win vs. Angola

Ademola Lookman scored his third goal of 2023 African Cup of Nationsand Moses Simon — who provided the assist — took Man of the Match honors as Nigeria advanced to the semi-finals after a 1-0 victory over Angola.

Simon’s cunning and offensive prowess earned him that well-deserved honor. His pace to beat his marker, the ability to sneak inside him, the balance to stay on top and the vision to see that Victor Osimhen had pushed away two defenders before throwing the ball to the arriving Lookman were testament to this. pudding.

Here are some more takeaways from Nigeria’s big win to continue their AFCON streak:

1. A resentment resolved

In a tournament that appears to have become a streak of grudge settlement for the Nigerian Super Eagles, they marked their advance to their 15th semi-final in 19 appearances by settling another score.

Ivory Coast, who have defeated them multiple times in the tournament, were eliminated in the group stage. So was Guinea Bissau, who came to Nigeria and embarrassed the Eagles in front of their home fans. And then there was Cameroonwho have inflicted a litany of deep cuts on the Super Eagles in the final Afcon games.

Angola was next on the list. One of the Super Águilas’ biggest heartbreaks came in 2005, when the Palancas Negras denied them a ticket to the World Cup, and this was a fitting score for them to settle, as they had not met since.

And so, by locking down the Antelopes and denying them a chance to reach a first-ever AFCON semi-final, the Super Eagles Class of 2024 gained some satisfaction for their predecessors.

Angola were also rivals when Nigerian midfielder Samuel Okwaraji collapsed and died during a 1990 World Cup qualifying match in August 1989 in Lagos. This victory in a way also served as a monument to the fallen hero.

2. What’s up with Peseiro’s personnel management?

During his pre-match press conference, Nigeria coach José Peseiro told reporters that he had so much confidence and faith in all his players that he wished he could play against all of them. However, his actions throughout this tournament refute that statement.

It took the Portuguese coach until the 80th minute to make his first change, by which time Angola had already made four. That was Alhassan Yusuf for Alex Iwobi, who was so exhausted at that point that he was already losing passes. His next replacement didn’t arrive for another seven minutes: Joe Aribo for Frank Onyeka.

Victor Osimhenwho seemed so long-legged that he was crouching, was not replaced until the 90th minute.

If Peseiro says he trusts his players, then relying on his starting 11 for so long in the game when he has capable substitutes belies that statement. He needs to give others a chance to get bigger minutes. Unless you don’t trust them to manage the game when the lead is slim, because that’s what their actions say.

3. When will we see Iheanacho or Moffi?

If it is not broke, do not fix it. That remains as true as ever, especially with this Super Eagles team, both in their tactics and the personnel that execute them. But it is surprising that, of all the players who have not seen a minute of action, Kelechi Iheanacho and Terem Moffi They are the two above.

This point is a direct continuation of the previous one. They are both very talented strikers, and while Iheanacho doesn’t have the work rate and high pressing of Osimhen, his holding game and ability to strike from distance with almost no knockback should be a valuable asset in those late stages of the game for keep the defender on tiptoe.

Moffi’s speed is also another advantage that should prove valuable in those circumstances. But hey, the team is winning, so Peseiro has the last word.

4. It has to happen soon to Osimhen…

Once again, Victor Osimhen had multiple opportunities to score and simply missed.

His header from Frank Onyeka’s shot in the first half went high, and he then saw goalkeeper Dominique deflect another header. With the game about to end, he had another header disallowed for offside and was then denied by a block from Jonathan Buatu.

At some point, the reigning African Player of the Year will have to make it, right?

But he wasn’t the only one who was denied opportunities. The Super Eagles create multiple opportunities per game, but simply fail to convert them. At the beginning of the second half, Zaidu Sanusi He shot over the crossbar and Calvin Bassey He also headed there.

In the end, Lookman’s goal proved enough, but the Super Eagles need to start taking advantage of these opportunities in the semi-final and, if they get there, the final.

5. Defense, Nigeria’s shining star in this AFCON

It was another masterclass in Nigerian defensive discipline. Angola came to the tournament as the competition’s leading scorer and with the second top scorer in gelson.

Their coach promised to throw the kitchen sink at Nigeria to get at least one goal. But, as they have done all tournament, the Super Eagles shut all that down, allowing the Antelopes just two shots on goal the entire game, and frustrated Gelson so much that he received a yellow card.

Once again, WIlliam Troost-Ekong was a general in that back five, directing traffic, making saves, denying shots and eliminating danger.

The unwavering spirit of this team’s top-down defensive effort and high-intensity style of play could be what takes them all the way.