Nigeria merely didn’t cease working, with the tireless Victor Osimhen setting the instance.
Ademola Lookman scored each objectives as Nigeria defeated outdated rivals Cameroon 2-0 on Saturday to march on to the quarterfinals of the Africa Cup of Nations.
The Nigerians had an early Semi Ajayi purpose disallowed following a VAR evaluate on this last-16 conflict earlier than the fixed urgent and bullying of the Cameroon defence by Victor Osimhen led to Lookman discovering the online within the thirty sixth minute.
A workforce that has turn out to be impermeable at this AFCON then saved the Indomitable Lions at bay earlier than Lookman made positive of the victory within the ninetieth minute in entrance of twenty-two,085 followers on the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Abidjan.
They will now return to the identical venue for a last-eight assembly subsequent Friday with Angola, who earlier defeated Namibia 3-0.
With the fearsome Osimhen main from the entrance, the Super Eagles are clearly a severe risk to reigning champions Senegal as they chase a fourth continental crown.
This fixture is a Cup of Nations traditional, with the primary three of Cameroon’s 5 titles coming after wins over Nigeria within the ultimate.
The very first, when a facet led by Roger Milla got here from behind to win 3-1 in 1984, was achieved on this similar stadium in Ivory Coast’s financial capital.
Yet Nigeria gained the newest encounter with their neighbours, within the final 16 in Egypt 5 years in the past, and their present facet got here into this match as favourites in opposition to Rigobert Song’s Cameroon.
The Super Eagles eased via their group unbeaten, whereas Cameroon wanted a stoppage-time purpose in opposition to Gambia to progress.
Their most recognisable identify is Andre Onana, however the Manchester United goalkeeper was dropped for a second successive sport, with Fabrice Ondoa of French third-tier facet Nimes most well-liked between the posts.
Vincent Aboubakar, their skipper and principal purpose risk, was named among the many substitutes after lacking your complete first spherical injured.
Nigeria coach Jose Peseiro introduced again captain William Troost-Ekong, Lookman and Alex Iwobi –- scorer of the winner in that 2019 tie –- in spite of everything had been rested for his or her final match in opposition to Guinea-Bissau.
– Tireless Osimhen –
Their urgent sport triggered issues for Cameroon from the off, and Nigeria thought they’d taken the lead inside eight minutes.
A Moses Simon shot was saved by Ondoa however the ball broke to Ajayi and the West Bromwich Albion defender discovered the online regardless of the goalkeeper getting a contact.
Wild celebrations ensued, just for the Moroccan referee to come back throughout to the VAR monitor and disallow the purpose as a result of Ajayi was deemed offside and interfering when the preliminary shot got here in.
Not to be discouraged, Nigeria merely didn’t cease working, with the tireless Osimhen setting the instance.
He provoked the opening purpose, dispossessing Oumar Gonzalez after a throw-in had been performed again in direction of the Cameroon defender, after which unselfishly establishing Lookman.
The Atalanta ahead’s shot was straight at Ondoa, however the goalkeeper may solely assist the ball on its manner.
Osimhen slumped to the turf on the half-time whistle, however the African footballer of the 12 months found the vitality to go once more after the restart.
Peseiro has harassed that the precedence for his workforce has been to ensure they don’t concede objectives, they usually stood agency regardless of having goalkeeper Stanley Nwabili stretchered off injured late on.
Aboubakar’s introduction for Cameroon modified nothing, and Nigeria bought the killer second simply earlier than the sport moved into 10 minutes of damage time.
Calvin Bassey crossed low from the left and London-born Lookman utilized the end.
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