AFCON
Angola’s Captain, Fredy Sends Timely Warning To Super Eagles; ‘We Are Proud Angolans And Fear No Team’, He Says –
Ademola Lookman scored twice for Nigeria and Gelson Dala bagged a brace for Angola on Saturday to send their countries into a Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals showdown.
Lookman struck after 36 minutes against Cameroon in Abidjan and clinched a 2-0 last-16 victory for the Super Eagles by finding the net again in the final minute of regular time.
Dala took his goal tally to four — one less than 34-year-old chart-topper Emilio Nsue of Equatorial Guinea — by scoring twice before half-time in a 3-0 victory over Namibia in Bouake.
Nigeria, among the title favourites with a line-up including African player of the year Victor Osimhen, and outsiders Angola clash next Friday for a semi-final place.
In Abidjan, Nigeria thought they had taken an early the lead only for a Semi Ajayi goal to be ruled offside after Cameroon failed three times to clear a corner.
Although they had less possession, the Super Eagles looked more likely scorers than the Indomitable Lions and did go in front on 36 minutes.
Oumar Gonzalez failed to control a throw-in and lost possession to Osimhen, who charged goalwards and set up Lookman, whose shot was fumbled by Fabrice Ondoa before entering the net.
Another incident of careless Cameroon defending, early in the second half, ended with Christopher Wooh conceding possession, then fouling Lookman on the edge of the area.
Lookman unleashed a hard, direct shot from the resulting free-kick, but it was just too high.
Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali retired injured after 78 minutes to be replaced by Francis Uzoho while fit-again star Cameroon forward Vincent Aboubakar came off the bench.
After defending in depth to maintain their slender advantage, Nigeria won a free-kick which led to Lookman sealing victory.
Calvin Bassey crossed and Lookman got to the ball first in the goalmouth. Ondoa did get his hand to the shot, but could not stop it entering the net.
– ‘Fear no team’ –
Angola captain Fredy, who created both Dala goals, dedicated the triumph over Namibia to the people of the southern Africa country.
“Economically, times are tough for many Angolans so I hope our victory has lifted spirits back home.
“We are in the quarter-finals having come to Ivory Coast as outsiders. That rating was hardly surprising as only Tanzania and the Gambia were ranked lower among the 24 contenders.
“But being written off by many observers motivated us. We believe in our abilities as footballers and are raring to go against Nigeria.
“Once again we will be the underdogs and once again we will be determined to prove the forecasters wrong. We are proud Angolans and fear no team.”
After Dala scored twice, Mabululu netted midway through the second half to effectively end as a contest the clash of southern Africa neighbours.
Both teams were reduced to 10 men by first-half red cards with Angola goalkeeper Neblu and Namibia defender Lubeni Haukongo sent off.
Neblu — one of many Angolans who use a nickname rather than their real name — handled a Bethuel Muzeu lob outside his area and was immediately red-carded on 17 minutes.
After a water break to assist players performing in searing 34 degrees Celsius (93 Fahrenheit) heat, the match took a dramatic turn with two goals and another red card in four minutes.
A Gilberto cross and Fredy cutback set up Dala to sidefoot the ball into the corner of the net on 38 minutes.
Namibia surrendered their numerical advantage two minutes later when Haukongo was yellow-carded a second time and sent off.
Dala struck again on 42 minutes, powerfully heading a Fredy free-kick into the corner of the net to give Angola a two-goal advantage.
After early second-half pressure from Namibia came to nought, Angola stretched their lead on 66 minutes.
Veteran Mabululu sprinted on to a Dala pass before superbly curling a shot past goalkeeper Lloyd Kazapua.
-AFP
What a turn-around! After four previous competitive matches without a win, the Super Eagles have regained their winning mentality after a 3-0 defeat of Benin Republic in their opening 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying series.
The win also put the Super Eagles at the top of the Group D after both Libya and Rwanda played 1-1 draw last Thursday.
It is also the biggest win by the Super Eagles since their 2023 6-0 win over Sao Tome & Principe last year September.
Great man Ademola Lookman, he put in two goals straightening the possibility of his emerging as 2024 African Footballer of the Year.
The current title holder, Victor Osimhen proved his mettle coming off the bench in the second half to double Nigeria’s lead after Lookman’s late first half goal.
The Super Eagles will now honour their next fixture against Rwanda on Tuesday with the hope of consolidating their lead.
Benin Republic with no points and a deficit of three goals are rooted at the bottom of the log.
BY JOSEPH ODOEKWU
The National Chairman of the Nigerian Football Supporters Club (NFSC), Rev. Samuel Ikpea has called on all Nigerians to rally round and pray for the Super Eagles ahead of Saturday’s Morocco 2025 AFCON qualifier against Benin Republic in Uyo.
Ikpea who is mobilizing support for the Super Eagles ahead of the clash in Uyo said that whatever Benin Republic come with both spiritually and physically in the game, we will surely overcome them.
“In the NFSC we have Christians, Muslims as well as those who believe in traditional worship and we respect the rights of freedom of worship of every member and all Nigerians.
“When we are faced with this kind of crucial game, we call on everyone to pray through their various believes because we foresee that Benin Republic are most likely coming to fall back on ‘black magic’ to enable them perfect a back-to-back victory over our Super Eagles after beating us 2-1 in our last meeting in a World Cup qualifier”
“We cannot underestimate the efficacy of the black magic” Ikpea further stressed, “but we believe that when we come together we can neutralize it’s efficacy.
“This is no time to sleep, we all have to rally round and do our best to support our Super Eagles because they cannot do it alone without the prayers and support of all Nigerians.
“While charging Nigerians to be positive with the team, we at the NFSC have done everything positive to overturn whatever plans they are coming with and we enjoin everyone to toe that path through prayers”.
Meanwhile, the Super Eagles camp is bubbling with training in Uyo, as team Coach Austin Eguavoen, has been working hard to perfect tactics with the boys and ensure the Super Eagles soar on Saturday.
The Super Eagles have not won a qualifying match for any competition since their 6-0 defeat of Principe & Sao Tome on 10th September 2023 in Uyo. That was their last qualifying match for Cote d’Ivoire 2023 played in 2024.
Since then, they have played four World Cup qualifying matches without a win despite being the overwhelming favourites at those matches.
A forensic analysis of their World Cup qualifying since that of Qatar 2022 will reveal they had played seven consecutive matches without a win starting from their 1-1 home draw with Cape Verde in Lagos which qualified them for the play off. In the play off with Ghana, the Super Eagles drew the two matches.
In the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, they have gone four matches, getting three draws and a loss. The prospect of their getting a straight qualification from the group is doubtful as they have a mountain to climb by winning the remaining six matches, three of which are away duels of which are most likely to be played in South Africa, the home ground of their main rivals.
Zimbabwe and Lesotho play their home matches in South Africa and Nigeria also still have an away duel with Bafana Bafana.
The qualification series of AFCON 2025 presents the Super Eagles a new beginning. Starting from the semi-finals of the AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire, the team has won none of their four competitive matches in regulation time. The players have a date with destiny in Uyo this Saturday to wipe off the sagging image they have had in recent time.
A win will give the team the confidence expected in anticipation for future fixtures.
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