Nigeria reached the quarter-finals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations after Ademola Lookman scored twice to beat a disappointing Cameroon 2-0 in the round of 16 in Abidjan.
The Atalanta forward opened the scoring nine minutes before the break after Victor Osimhen forced Oumar Gonzalez into a mistake and then teed up Lookman to fire past goalkeeper Fabrice Ondoa, who was preferred against to Andre Onana.
Former England Under-21 international Lookman sealed the win in the 90th minute after one of the game’s best moves, volleying home Calvin Bassey’s cut-back to spark huge celebrations among the three-time champions.
Despite introducing Vincent Aboubakar, top scorer at the 2021 edition, late on for his first appearance after a muscle injury sustained on the eve of the finals, Cameroon failed to register a single shot on target.
The Super Eagles will meet Angola, who impressed in a 3-0 win over Namibia earlier, in the last eight on Friday, also in the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium.
More to follow.
Line-ups
Nigeria
Formation 3-4-3
- 23NwabaliSubstituted forUzohoat 80′minutes
- 6Ajayi
- 5Troost-Ekong
- 21Bassey
- 2AinaBooked at 90mins
- 8Onyeka
- 17Iwobi
- 3SanusiSubstituted forOmeruoat 80′minutes
- 15SimonBooked at 87minsSubstituted forOsayi-Samuelat 90+9′minutes
- 9OsimhenSubstituted forOnuachuat 90+9′minutes
- 18Lookman
Substitutes
- 1Uzoho
- 4Yusuf
- 7Musa
- 10Aribo
- 11Chukwueze
- 12Osayi-Samuel
- 14Iheanacho
- 19Onuachu
- 20Awaziem
- 22Omeruo
- 24Moffi
- 25Onyedika
Cameroon
Formation 3-4-3
- 1Ondoa
- 21Castelletto
- 15GonzalezSubstituted forAboubakarat 78′minutes
- 4WoohBooked at 53mins
- 3NgamaleuSubstituted forTchatoat 86′minutes
- 8Anguissa
- 22Ntcham
- 5Tolo
- 12Toko-EkambiSubstituted forMoumbagnaat 90+6′minutes
- 9Magri
- 11NkoudouBooked at 72mins
Substitutes
- 2Moukoudi
- 6Kemen
- 7N’Jie
- 10Aboubakar
- 14Tchamadeu
- 16Epassy
- 17Neyou
- 18Yongwa
- 19Moumbagna
- 20Elliott
- 24Onana
- 26Tchato
Live Text
-
Match ends, Nigeria 2, Cameroon 0.
-
Second Half ends, Nigeria 2, Cameroon 0.
-
Foul by Frank Magri (Cameroon).
-
Calvin Bassey (Nigeria) wins a free kick on the left wing.
-
Corner, Nigeria. Conceded by Frank Anguissa.
-
Substitution, Nigeria. Paul Onuachu replaces Victor Osimhen.
-
Substitution, Nigeria. Bright Osayi-Samuel replaces Moses Simon.
-
Attempt missed. Jean-Charles Castelletto (Cameroon) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Faris Moumbagna following a corner.
-
Corner, Cameroon. Conceded by Ademola Lookman.
-
Substitution, Cameroon. Faris Moumbagna replaces Karl Toko-Ekambi.
-
Ola Aina (Nigeria) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
-
Georges-Kévin Nkoudou (Cameroon) wins a free kick on the left wing.
-
Foul by Ola Aina (Nigeria).
-
Vincent Aboubakar (Cameroon) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
-
Foul by Kenneth Omeruo (Nigeria).
-
Foul by Enzo Tchato (Cameroon).
-
Ademola Lookman (Nigeria) wins a free kick on the left wing.
-
Goal! Nigeria 2, Cameroon 0. Ademola Lookman (Nigeria) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Calvin Bassey with a cross following a set piece situation.
-
Foul by Enzo Tchato (Cameroon).
-
Calvin Bassey (Nigeria) wins a free kick on the left wing.
