Angola vs Namibia. Africa Cup of Nations Round of 16.
Stade de BouakeAttendance28,663.
Ademola Lookman scored both goals for Nigeria as they breezed past rivals Cameroon to reach the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals; Nigeria to play Angola in Abidjan next weekend after they beat Namibia 3-0; Gelson Dala scored twice with Al Ittihad forward Mabululu adding the third
Saturday 27 January 2024 22:57, UK
Ademola Lookman scored twice to book Nigeria's place in the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals as they beat long-standing foes Cameroon 2-0.
Lookman's 36th-minute goal at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium opened the scoring and he contributed a second on the stoke of full-time as Nigeria largely outplayed Cameroon.
While Lookman's double made him a key figure in the win, Nigeria's African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen proved outstanding with his work-rate and drove his team to victory.
It was as much as Nigeria deserved, showing much improved form after a largely uninspiring showing in the group phase where they finished second in their section.
They will face Angola in the last eight in Abidjan next Friday after the Angolans beat Namibia 3-0 in Bouake earlier on Saturday in the first of the knockout round games.
The Black Antelopes, who won Group D, looked to have made the worst possible start when goalkeeper Neblu was shown a red card for handball outside the area in the 17th minute.
Angola, though, took the lead in the 38th minute through Gelson Dala.
Namibia, through to the knockout stages for the first time after finishing among the best third-placed teams, then found themselves also down to 10 players when defender Lubeni Haukongo was sent off for a second caution five minutes before half-time.
Dala nodded in a second for Angola ahead of the break, with Al Ittihad forward Mabululu scoring a third in the 66th minute to secure a place in the last eight.
Namibia's hopes of further progress in the tournament appeared to have been lifted earlier when Bethuel Muzeu raced clear and tried to lob the advancing goalkeeper, who palmed the ball away clearly outside his area.
Despite the setback of Neblu's red card - Signori Antonio came on in goal, replacing midfielder Estrela - it was Angola who got themselves in front when Dala tucked home a cross from Fredy.
Namibia defender Haukongo then collected a second caution for a foul on Mabululu as he broke clear.
Angola struck again just a couple of minutes after as Dala headed in a second from Fredy's free-kick.
Early in the second half, Brave Warriors captain Peter Shalulile fired over before Angola scored a third in the 66th minute following a swift counter-attack.
Fredy picked up a loose pass on the edge of Angola's area and the ball eventually found its way through to Mabululu, who cut back on to his right foot and curled a shot into the far corner.
Shalulile saw a header drop just wide before Angola substitute Zito Luvumbo hit the crossbar during stoppage time as Pedro Goncalves' side progressed to the last eight.
