AFCON 2023: Lookman fires late dagger into Cameroon’s heart to seal Nigeria’s quarter-final spot

The Super Eagles of Nigeria have qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) quarter-finals courtesy of Ademola Lookman.

Lookman left no prisoners in the intense encounter, bagging a brace that saw the three-time Africa champions leap into the next round.

The game started with pressure from both teams, but it was Nigeria that gave an early hint, after a swift strike by Semi Ajayi was disallowed for offside.

The Super Eagles continued to mount pressure, until a 36th minute assist by Victor Osimhen found Lookman who was left with the simple task of tapping in, to give Nigeria the lead.

Osimhen overpowered Cameroon’s defense line, snatching the ball gallantly to deliver the precise pass to Lookman.

While he didn’t score in the game, Osimhen was the nightmare of the Indomitable Lions, charging for every ball in the opponents half.

Going into the second half, Cameroon laid some unconvincing threats, but the Nigerian defense and goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali kept things at bay.

The match winner came in the 90th minutes, when a cross by Calvin Bassey found Lookman for another tap in, making it 2-0 in favour of Nigeria.

The game marks the first time the Super Eagles are scoring more than one goal in a single match since the start of the tournament.

They will now face Angola in the quarter-finals, hoping to keep up the winning ways.