AFCON 2023: Super Eagles face a challenging journey towards their fourth title following their victory against Angola

The first quarter-final match of the Africa Cup of Nations between Nigeria and Angola ended with Nigeria emerging victorious.

The Super Eagles had gained the trust and support of fans and experts due to their consistent improvement throughout the tournament. In the game against Angola, they displayed their resilience and determination, ultimately securing a 1-0 win with a remarkable goal from Ademola Lookman. However, the scoreline did not reflect the true intensity of the match. Nigeria had a goal disallowed for offside, and Angola also came close to scoring.

Nevertheless, Nigeria never appeared to be in serious danger of relinquishing their lead. Olawale Adigun, a podcaster and sports journalist, praised Angola for their performance but acknowledged their inability to break down the Super Eagles when it mattered most.

He commended Nigeria for their professional and stylish display, emphasizing that in games like these, winning is what matters. Nigeria now awaits their next opponents, which will be determined by the outcome of the quarter-final clash between South Africa and Cape Verde.

While some express concerns about Nigeria’s ability to close out games, Adigun remains confident, highlighting the team’s solid defense and their recent run of clean sheets. He predicts that the semi-final will also end with a 1-0 victory for Nigeria.

Adigun personally prefers South Africa as their opponents, citing the psychological and historical advantage Nigeria holds over them. He believes South Africa were fortunate in their match against Morocco.

The Amapiano Boyz are highly skilled in their technical abilities, utilizing their quick passing and smooth transitions to dismantle opposing teams. In contrast, Nigeria may potentially face a challenging match against either Ivory Coast or Mali in the final if they successfully overcome one of the Southern Africa nations.

Adigun believes that these two countries pose the greatest threat to Nigeria’s quest for a fourth title. Adigun also mentions that the hosts, with their redemption story, could potentially reach the final and seek revenge, fueled by the support of an enthusiastic crowd. Additionally, Adigun expresses concern about Mali, referring to them as the perennial underachievers in African football.