Two goals from Ademola Lookman, one in each half, gave the Super Eagles of Nigeria a 2-0 win over Cameroon to progress into the quarter-finals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote d’Ivoire.
The Super Eagles had an early goal by Semi Ajayi disallowed following a VAR review in this last-16 clash before the constant pressing and bullying of the Cameroon defence by Victor Osimhen led to Lookman finding the net in the 36th minute.
A team that has become impermeable at this AFCON then kept the Indomitable Lions at bay before Lookman made sure of the victory in the 90th minute in front of 22,085 fans at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Abidjan.
They will now return to the same venue for a last-eight meeting next Friday with Angola, who earlier defeated Namibia 3-0.
“It was a big performance from the team, we fought well from the first minute to the 100th minute,” Lookman said after the game.
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With the fearsome Osimhen leading from the front, the Super Eagles are clearly a serious threat to reigning champions Senegal as they chase a fourth continental crown.
“I am very happy with my boys. I think our team did a very good job against a very good team. We deserved to win,” Nigeria coach, Jose Peseiro, said.
Meanwhile, Cameroon coach, Rigobert Song, said a lack of experience cost his side as they go home.
Song said: “I have a young team and players who are learning at this level.
“They will learn and improve from their mistakes. In two or three years from now it will be the same players but a different team.”
The fixture is an AFCON classic, with the first three of Cameroon’s five titles coming after wins over Nigeria in the final.
The very first, when a side led by Roger Milla came from behind to win 3-1 in 1984, was achieved in this same stadium in Cote d’Ivoire’s economic capital.
Yet Nigeria won the most recent encounter with their neighbours, in the last 16 in Egypt five years ago, and their current side came into this match as favourites.
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