Nigeria vs Angola LIVE: Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final result, final score and reaction as Super Eagles win

The favourites for the 2024 Afcon take on an impressive Angola outfit who have top-scored at the tournament so far

Nigeria and Angola look ahead to their AFCON quarter-final

The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations has reached the quarter-final stage and the first of those took place in Abidjan on Friday evening, with Nigeria knocking out Angola after a 1-0 victory.

It’s now four clean sheets in a row for the Super Eagles, who look defensively solid and to have a platform for success, despite possessing some of the best attacking talents with the likes of Victor Osimhen in their squad. Tonight though - as in the round of 16 - it was Ademola Lookman who scored the winner, netting in the first half for what turned out to be the only goal of the game.

Osimhen did find the back of the net but saw his goal ruled out for offside, while Angola rarely threatened to find a late equaliser in truth. Nigeria will play South Africa or Cabo Verde in the semis. Follow all the reaction to Nigeria vs Angola below and get all the latest Afcon odds and tips here.

Nigeria vs Angola - LIVE

• Goal - Lookman scores his third in two knockout games to put Nigeria ahead on 41’ (1-0)
• Post - Zini latches onto through pass and beats the keeper but hits the post on 60’ (1-0)
• No goal - Osimhen header ruled out for offside after VAR check on 75’ (1-0)
• REPORT: Nigeria through to Afcon semi-finals as they edge past Angola

[2 February 2024 18:16 · Karl Matchett]

54’ - Nigeria 1-0 Angola

Yellow card for Bassey now after a challenge and then a bit of a coming together with Gilberto. Didn’t look like a foul initially but he tried to pick up his opponent, then pushed over Show as he tried to take the ball from Bassey’s arms.

Needs to keep his cool - Nigeria are in control here.

[2 February 2024 18:12 · Karl Matchett]

50’ - Nigeria 1-0 Angola

Bit of an issue now for Osimhen who needs some treatment on the top of his foot, by the looks of things. Another Lookman run into the box caused Angola issues but the cut-back was behind his striker teammate.

Nigeria still on top at the start of the second half, with Angola’s sub at the interval not yet reaping rewards.

[2 February 2024 18:07 · Karl Matchett]

46' - Nigeria 1-0 Angola

Zini on for Angola at the break, replacing Estrela.

We are back underway for the second half - work for Angola to do but Nigeria just need more of the same. Osimhen tees up Iwobi for an early effort but it’s deflected wide for a corner.

[2 February 2024 17:56 · Karl Matchett]

Nigeria handed unexpected chance to end generation of missed opportunities

Rewind to the mid- and late-1990s and there was just one African nation widely expected to become the big challenger to European and South American countries on the international football landscape: Nigeria.

The Super Eagles reached the last 16 in both ‘94 and ‘98, the iconic team of Jay-Jay Okocha, Sunday Oliseh, Finidi George and Daniel Amokachi, later added to by Nwankwo Kanu, Taribo West and Celestine Babayaro. With a significant section of the latter squad aged 24 and under, it seemed they should only go from strength to strength, particularly after winning the Africa Cup of Nations in ‘94 as well.

It didn’t quite happen that way.

An entire generation of supporters, of citizens and indeed of playing talent have grown up since that early promise and had to watch on as Nigeria squander chances or fall short - but perhaps this time around the stars have aligned for the modern Super Eagles to reach their potential and fly to glory in Ivory Coast.

Half time reading on Nigeria’s chances of glory:

[2 February 2024 17:51 · Karl Matchett]

HT - Nigeria 1-0 Angola

There’s the whistle and Nigeria do indeed have a one goal-lead at the interval. It could have been more too - Simon broke into the box again in the last seconds, but this time hesitates on his delivery and allows defensive numbers to get back and clear.

Nigeria 1-0 Angola at the break!

[2 February 2024 17:48 · Karl Matchett]

45+1’ - Nigeria 1-0 Angola

Buatu and Osimhen collide in mid-air and need a bit of treatment. Three minutes added on at the end of this first half and this latest stoppage could add a bit more to that.

Nigeria look pretty safe to see out the first half with this lead intact though and it’s now close to 370 minutes since they conceded a goal here at the Afcon.

[2 February 2024 17:45 · Karl Matchett]

44’ - Nigeria 1-0 Angola

Great time for Nigeria to score before the break but Angola equally intent on doing likewise. Two corners cause danger, then Osimhen plays a through pass which nearly sets Lookman clear from the halfway line - but he’s just offside.

Final minute of the half now.

[2 February 2024 17:43 · Karl Matchett]

GOAL! 41’ - Nigeria 1-0 Angola

What a well-worked opening goal! Simon skips past his man down the left, runs into the box, Osimhen drags the centre-back away and into the space runs Ademola Lookman - and when Simon rolls him the ball, Lookman has the easy task to hammer home a first-time finish and put Nigeria ahead!

[2 February 2024 17:41 · Karl Matchett]

38’ - Nigeria 0-0 Angola

To Carneiro is fouled outside the Nigeria box and it’s a chance for Angola to deliver a set piece this time. From the left and it’s low - but Zaidu is there first to head behind for a corner. The next delivery goes short and is crossed from a different angle but Nigeria again stand firm, Onyeka breaks out and is fouled by Buatu on the halfway line. Just a few minutes left until the break now.

(AFP via Getty Images)

(AFP via Getty Images)

[2 February 2024 17:37 · Karl Matchett]

34’ - Nigeria 0-0 Angola

A lower tempo since the resumption of play. Nigeria just trying to build a little slower initially, then a long throw from the right beats most of the defence and Osimhen flicks it on - but it’s beyond Simon and out for a goal kick.