Ademola Lookman on Saturday scored twice for Nigeria and Gelson Dala bagged a brace for Angola to send their countries into an 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 halftime in a 3-0 victory over Namibia in Bouake.
Photo: AFP
Nigeria, among the title favorites with a lineup including African player of the year Victor Osimhen, and outsiders Angola clash on Friday for a semi-final place.
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,” he said. “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.”
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