It's a good habit.
First qualified for the last four of the 2024 edition, Nigeria reached the semi-finals of the CAN for the 15th time in its history.
The Super Eagles were able to avoid the trap of Angola this Friday by winning (1-0) in this quarter-final.
More experienced and talented, Victor Osimhen's partners logically won even if the Angolans offered good resistance and could even have posed even more difficulties to their opponent with a touch of efficiency in front of goal.
Undefeated since the start of the competition (4 wins and a draw), Nigeria confirms its solidity (only one goal conceded).
And, with its star Osimhen, this team has the profile of a potential winner.
Triple winners of the competition (1994, 1998 and 2013), the Nigerians will appear as favorites next Wednesday (5 p.m.) against the winner of the match between South Africa and Cape Verde.
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🇳🇬🇦🇴 Nigeria - Angola live on beIN SPORTS 1!#beINCAN2023 #NIGANG pic.twitter.com/GO6zbnlJRd
— beIN SPORTS (@beinsports_FR) February 2, 2024
Well into the match, Angola narrowly missed opening the scoring from a corner.
Nigerian goalkeeper Nwabali brilliantly repels Mabululu's recovery (5th).
Nigeria controls the game but struggles to create chances.
A header from Osimhen fails to deceive the vigilance of Signori (23rd).
Just before the break, Nantes' Simon avoids Gaspar's tackle on the left side before finding Lookman in the middle who opens his left foot to deceive Signori in the top corner (1-0, 41st).
This is his third achievement since the start of the competition.
Returning from the locker room, Nigeria pushes to make the break.
Following a corner, Bassey places his head but is hampered by Osimhen (58th).
In the process, the Angolans narrowly missed the equalizer on a shot from Zini which hit Nwabali's post (60th).
Their last opportunity to return has just passed.
Osimhen thinks he makes the break with his head but his goal is refused for an offside position (75th).
Despite a final rush at the end of the match, Angola failed to equalize.
Mabululu's partners leave the competition with their heads held high.
Nigeria takes on the role of number one favorite of this CAN.
But is this an advantage in this competition where the favorites fall one after the other?