The most surprising moment of all is when there is no surprise. In a Cup of Nations where previous success and expectations have held little weight, there was finally a match that followed the predicted outcome. Ademola Lookman’s goal in the first half and Nigeria’s fourth consecutive shutout propelled them to the semi-finals of the Cup of Nations for the 16th time.
They were in a familiar situation and they achieved it in a familiar manner. Despite Zini’s shot hitting the post at a score of 1-0, José Peseiro’s team displayed another well-controlled performance. The only concern was their inability to score a second goal and secure the game.
Peseiro expressed some frustration over missed opportunities during counterattacks and brief moments when the game became more open. However, he defended his record before the tournament and emphasized that friendly matches are meant for preparation. He also explained why a victory over Angola should not be underestimated, stating that his players fought hard for it and have confidence in their playing style, organization, and team spirit.
The coach of Angola, Pedro Gonçalves, was very direct in his comments. He agreed that Nigeria deserved to win and believed that complaining about the loss was not the right attitude. He also acknowledged that his team’s forwards did not play well in the intense game and attributed it to fatigue.
Nigeria are exceptionally good at quarter-finals. This was the 11th they have played in at the Cup of Nations since the expansion of the tournament in 1990; they have lost only one, in 2008 to a Ghana inspired by Junior Agogo. And this Angola, whatever Peseiro may claim, are not a Ghana inspired by Junior Agogo.
During a hot and humid afternoon in February in the Ivory Coast, the rhythmic drumming of Nigerian fans caused a sleepy atmosphere during the game. However, in the moments before half-time, the unexpected winner was scored. Atletico Petroleos’ right-back Eddie Afonso may have been affected by the drowsy mood as he reacted slowly to a pass, allowing Moses Simon to beat him to the ball. With Victor Osimhen making a smart run towards the near post and drawing three defenders, Simon passed the ball back to Lookman who powerfully scored his third goal of the tournament.
Simon, the man of the match, expressed a strong desire for victory. He stated that it was the most crucial aspect and winning the title of man of the match while losing was not satisfying. The contagious mood of frankness was evident.
Angola suffered their third defeat in the quarter-finals of the Cup of Nations. However, they can take comfort in their strong performance throughout the first three weeks of the tournament, which was far better than their previous appearances in 2008 and 2010. Despite creating few chances, they had a promising opportunity through Mabululu after a corner. Unfortunately, an error by Alex Iwobi, who has been solid throughout the tournament, led to Zini missing a golden chance to score. The ball hit the post and bounced back, denying Angola a goal. This moment may haunt Zini as it was against the flow of the game. Nwabali, visibly angry, even grabbed Iwobi’s cheeks to emphasize his mistake.
Despite Nigeria advancing through the group stage and defeating Cameroon in the round of 16 with shutout victories, there is still discontent among fans towards Peseiro. Several have expressed their desire for the 63-year-old Portuguese coach to not continue even if Nigeria were to win the tournament. It is undeniable that Peseiro’s track record, with 13 different coaching positions since departing Sporting in 2005, raises doubts about his ability to lead the team. Additionally, their style of play under Peseiro has not been particularly exhilarating.
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The defensive strategy of using three players positioned deep on the field, as seen on Friday, may appear overly cautious. However, in a tournament full of surprising results, with Nigeria as the highest-ranked team remaining, Peseiro could argue that not letting in goals is key to avoiding defeat – and Nigeria has not allowed a goal since Ibán Edu scored against them for Equatorial Guinea in the first half of their opening game.
The combination of Solidity and Osimhen (and Lookman) is proving to be a very successful choice.
Source: theguardian.com
