Lookman fires Nigeria into semi-final as AFCON journey ends for Angola
Nigeria advanced to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals with a 1-0 victory against a determined Angola team. Ademola Lookman scored in the first half to put the three-time champions in the last four. Even though they had a tremendous overall competition, Angola could not score after the interval and will now return home empty-handed.
During the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) quarterfinal football match between Angola and Nigeria at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan on February 2, 2024, Nigerian forward #18 Ademola Lookman celebrates scoring his team’s first goal.
Just four minutes before halftime in Abijdan, the winger for Atalanta scored a goal, thumping in a cross from Moses Simon, securing a semi-final clash with either South Africa, who defeated Cape Verde in the shootout.
In the fourth minute, Angola’s Stanley Nwabali saved a close-range shot by Mabululu as they advanced to their first semi-final.
It was Nigeria, however, who took the lead in the 41st minute. Lookman scored a goal after Simon dribbled the ball past Kialonda Gaspar’s sliding tackle and set up Lookman to achieve.
On the cusp of the hour, Angola was about to reply. After racing on to Show’s through-ball, substitute Zine beat Nwabali, but his first-time shot went wide of the post.
Despite a last-ditch effort by Lookman’s free-kick header by Victor Osimhen, who had his goal disallowed due to offside, the Super Eagles could advance to the semi-finals.
Nigeria, the top-ranked team still in the tournament and a three-time champion, proved they could handle being called favourites by earning a well-deserved win.
Lookman, Simon, and Osimhen were dangerous up front, while the Super Eagles’ defence was rock solid.
Their streak of four straight victories in the Africa Cup of Nations matches without allowing a single goal is impressive.
Jose Peseiro’s squad has a lot of good things going for them as they enter the semi-finals, having won in 1980, 1994, and 2013.
Brilliant Masuaku free kick caps impressive DR Congo comeback over Guinea to reach AFCON semis
DR Congo overcame a one-goal deficit to defeat Guinea and advance to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations semifinals. Chancel Mbemba scored an equalizer soon after Guinea took the lead on a penalty kick by Mohamed Bayo. Yoane Wissa cut from the spot to put the Leopards in front before Arthur Masuaku’s clever free-kick baffled Ibrahim Kone in the Guinea goal to cap off the win.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo advanced to the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals with a 3-1 come-from-behind victory against Guinea. Saturday night’s games include the hosts, the Ivory Coast, Mali, or Congolese.
Yoane Wissa had a fantastic chance from eight yards out but pulled his effort wide. The game got off to a hectic start, with Guinea fiercely pressing for a penalty in the opening minute. At the other end, a defensive mix-up occurred.
After a tense first half, the referees finally gave Guinea a penalty kick after deciding that Congo captain Chancel Mbemba had fouled Guinea forward Mohamed Bayo within the penalty area. There was a long pause, but Bayo remained calm and calmly sent the penalty away.
But Guinea’s advantage wouldn’t last long because Mbemba, set up by a corner kick from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, took the ball down and smashed it into the top corner of the goal with a finish any player would be proud of. Both teams seemed content to finish the match on equal footing after the obligatory water break.
Substitutions and many fouls made for a more leisurely game in the second half. However, DR Congo seemed more dangerous throughout the match and scored the game’s second penalty after replacement Silas Mvumpa was brought down only seconds after entering the field.
The D.R.C. took the lead for the first time in the match when Wissa converted a penalty. Arthur Masuaku, a former West Ham player, won in the last minutes with a brilliant free-kick that beat the Guinea goalkeeper off his line and went just inside the near post.
This is the first time Congo has advanced to the semi-finals since 2015.
While they have made it to the semi-finals twice since 1974, the Democratic Republic of the Congo has failed to win the A.F.C.O.N. So far in the competition, Les Leopards have been solid but unremarkable. They had never won a game and had never scored more than once until today.
But they’ve shown they can compete with the favorites by drawing blood with Egypt and Morocco, two absolute giants in the competition. Would they dare to go all out and create a historic upset?
Cape Verde 0-0p South Africa – Ronwen Williams saves four penalties in shootout as Bafana Bafana reach AFCON semi-finals
After defeating Cape Verde in a penalty shootout, South Africa advanced to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals. Following a scoreless 120 minutes, the match went to a penalty shootout, which ended in a 2-1 victory for Bafana Bafana thanks to four saves by goalkeeper Ronwen Williams. Only one of the initial six attempts was successful.
South Africa advanced to the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations thanks to a heroic penalty shootout victory by Ronwen Williams, who helped his team beat Cape Verde 2-1.
In a thrilling finish in Yamoussoukro, the Bafana Bafana goalie stopped four penalty kicks, advancing his team to face Nigeria in the quarterfinals.
Throughout the 120 minutes played at Stade Charles Konan Banny de Yamoussoukro, Cape Verde, I had better chances.
With a surprising win against Morocco, South Africa advances to the quarterfinals. With a dramatic victory against Morocco, South Africa goes to the quarterfinals.
After rescuing the goal in the 56th minute from Garry Rodrigues, Williams made a spectacular reflex save in stoppage time to deny Gilson Benchimol.
As the match drew to a penalty shootout, Vozinha made a remarkable save early in the extra period to deny Mihlali Mayambela and Evidence Makgopa.
South Africa’s Teboho Mokoena and Mothobi Mvala scored. At the same time, Cape Verde’s Bryan Teixeira had an opportunity to achieve. Still, Williams made saves from Bebe, Willy Semedo, Laros Duarte, and Patrick Andrade to advance Bafana Bafana to the semi-finals.
Cape Verde was one penalty shootout away from its inaugural appearance in the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals. Unfortunately, four of their players missed penalty kicks so they couldn’t take advantage.
South Africa got to the semi-finals for the first time since 2000 because of Williams’ heroics, but they kept their composure.
Ivory Coast 2-1 Mali AET: Oumar Diakite scores last-minute winner as hosts book Africa Cup of Nations semi-final place
A dramatic 2-1 victory by Ivory Coast advanced them to the round of 16 of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, thereby shocking Mali. After Adama Traore’s missed penalty kick for Mali, Nene Dorgeles believed his goal in the second half had sealed the victory. However, in the game’s final minute, Simon Adingra equalized before Oumar Diakite assumed control as penalties appeared imminent.
Despite being down a man on Saturday evening, Ivory Coast completed an incredible comeback in extra time to defeat Mali 2-1.
In the first round of elimination play, the hosts overcame Senegal via penalty shootout, whereas Mali emerged victorious against Burkina Faso.
A penalty appeal for offside Sikou Niakate was denied for handball in the first half. Odilon Kossounou conceded one for a charge on Lassine Sinayoko; however, Adama Traore missed the penalty kick.
Just before halftime, Sinayoko caused the Kossounou, who was red, to commit another desperate infraction.
Nene found space to score a spectacular goal from 30 yards out as the weakened side grew weary. However, Simon Adingra scored an injury-time equalizer with the game nearly over.
Extra time failed to produce a breakthrough, and penalties appeared to be the outcome until Oumar Diakite delivered a devastating strike in the final seconds of spare time. Diakite was rendered crimson during the match’s frantic conclusion.
You envisaged that the situation could not become more challenging for a group to abandon their manager in the group phases.
Once more, their perseverance paid off, and Oumar Diakite’s game-winning goal was ludicrous in light of everything they had imposed on their supporters.