Summary

  • Nigeria beat Angola 1-0 in first quarter-final at Afcon 2023

  • Ademola Lookman converts cut-back from Moses Simon to fire Super Eagles ahead before break

  • Substitute Zine hits the post for Angola just before the hour mark

  • Victor Osimhen has second Nigeria goal ruled out for offside

  • The West Africans are three-time winners and the highest-ranked side left in the tournament

  • Angola's wait for a first ever Afcon semi-final appearance goes on

  1. Three-time champions celebrate winpublished at 19:21 Greenwich Mean Time 2 February

    FT: Nigeria 1-0 Angola

    Nigeria at AfconImage source, Getty Images

    Enjoy that? The quarter-finals have begun with Nigeria seeing off spirited Angola.

    While you look forward to the second quarter-final, you can also read Ian Williams' report from Abidjan.

    Thanks for joining us.

  2. Who will join Super Eagles in semis?published at 19:17 Greenwich Mean Time 2 February

    FT: Nigeria 1-0 Angola

    Nigeria at AfconImage source, Getty Images

    We now know Nigeria will play Cape Verde or South Africa in the semi-finals of Afcon next Wednesday (20:00 GMT).

    But who will join the Super Eagles in the last four?

    Next up, you can follow DR Congo against Guinea in our second quarter-final of the evening, kicking off at 20:00 GMT.

    Live text commentary of that one will be starting soon.

    You can also watch coverage from 19:50 GMT on BBC Three, BBC iPlayer and on the BBC Sport website. Unmissable.

  3. Postpublished at 19:15 Greenwich Mean Time 2 February

    FT: Nigeria 1-0 Angola

    Ademola Lookman at AfconImage source, Getty Images

    Ademola Lookman has become the fourth Nigerian to score at least three goals in the knockout rounds of a single Afcon tournament, after Odion Ighalo in 2019 (4), Jay-Jay Okocha in 2004 (3) and Rashidi Yekini in 1994 (3).

    Those two goals against Cameroon in the last 16 were his first ever Afcon goals.

  4. Solid Super Eaglespublished at 19:10 Greenwich Mean Time 2 February

    FT: Nigeria 1-0 Angola

    Stanley Nwabali celebrates at AfconImage source, Getty Images

    This is the first time Nigeria have won four consecutive matches at a single Afcon edition without conceding a goal.

    After concerns about their goalkeeping position before the finals, the West Africans have certainly found solidity at the back.

  5. Angola's adventure endspublished at 19:07 Greenwich Mean Time 2 February

    FT: Nigeria 1-0 Angola

    Nigeria players console MabululuImage source, Getty Images

    Credit to Angola, who've played a splendid part in making this tournament so enjoyable so far.

    They suffer a first defeat in 10 matches in all competitions.

    Their 3-2 win over Mauritania during the group stage was the only time they conceded more than one goal in a game during that run.

    Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman go across to console Angola striker Mabululu after the final whistle.

  6. Will Nigeria be champions?published at 19:02 Greenwich Mean Time 2 February

    FT: Nigeria 1-0 Angola

    Nigeria celebrate at AfconImage source, Getty Images

    Nigeria were favourites to win the Afcon title before this hard-earned victory.

    As their celebrations begin, do you reckon they will lift the trophy for a fourth time?

    Give us a thumbs up for yes or a thumbs down for no.

  7. FULL-TIMEpublished at 18:59 Greenwich Mean Time 2 February

    Nigeria 1-0 Angola

    Ademola Lookman celebrates against AngolaImage source, Reuters

    Ademola Lookman is the hero for Nigeria as the Super Eagles reach the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals.

    After his double against Cameroon in the last 16, the winger has the West Africans remaining on course for a first title since 2013.

  8. Postpublished at 90 +6 mins

    Nigeria 1-0 Angola

    Angola are continuing to push forward but failing to do much to telling effect.

    Stanley Nwabali claims a cross comfortably and grins as he takes to the turf.

  9. SUBSTITUTIONpublished at 90 +4 mins

    Nigeria 1-0 Angola

    Victor Osimhen finally comes off, looking somewhat spent for his efforts.

    Ademola Lookman also makes way. Paul Onuachu and Kenneth Omeru are on.

    Sensible substitutions if Nigeria see out added time, less than ideal personnel-wise if they're taken to extra time. Not that they had much option about bringing Osimhen off.

  10. Postpublished at 90 +2 mins

    Nigeria 1-0 Angola

    One man who clearly doesn't have cramp is Moses Simon.

    The Nigeria livewire sprints at Kialonda Gaspar down the left and works the ball into a dangerous area, but the attack fizzles out.

    There was no-one in the box for him to aim for.

  11. Postpublished at 90 mins

    Nigeria 1-0 Angola

    Zito Luvumbo cuts inside from the right again and fails to beat the first man with a cross.

    Victor Osimhen is sitting on the turf with cramp. He doesn't look able to get up.

    We've started seven minutes of added time.

  12. CLOSE!published at 89 mins

    Nigeria 1-0 Angola

    No faulting Angola's willingness to have a go.

    Zito Luvumbo cuts inside from the right and curls in a shot which Stanley Nwabali beats away at his far post.

  13. Postpublished at 87 mins

    Nigeria 1-0 Angola

    Nigeria are playing on the counter-attack at the moment, Angola pressing hard as they look for that precious goal.

  14. SUBSTITUTIONpublished at 86 mins

    Nigeria 1-0 Angola

    Gelson Dala makes way for Felicio Milson.

    The departing striker has had an excellent tournament whatever the result here, but he's not been at his best tonight.

    Can Angola find a late goal to give him a chance of featuring in the semi-finals?

  15. SUBSTITUTIONpublished at 85 mins

    Nigeria 1-0 Angola

    Stanley Nwabali claims the ballImage source, Getty Images

    Nigeria keeper Stanley Nwabali does well to claim a looping ball inside a crowded penalty area.

    But Super Eagles midfielder Frank Onyeka is down with a shoulder issue, and is then back up to make way for Joe Aribo.

    Nigeria know this is no time to be carrying injured players.

  16. CLOSE!published at 82 mins

    Nigeria 1-0 Angola

    Nigeria should score after Ademola Lookman charges clear on a break.

    Victor Osimhen appears to assume the man on form is going to take a shot as he surges towards the penalty area, and looks a little surprised when Lookman finds the Napoli striker inside the box.

    Osimhen reacts typically sharply, though, turning to tee himself up and fire in a shot from close range. Kialonda Gaspar does brilliantly - perhaps with a sliver of luck involved - to get a toe in the way and divert the ball away.

    That would surely have been goal number two for Nigeria, had Osimhen found the target.

  17. SUBSTITUTIONSpublished at 81 mins

    Nigeria 1-0 Angola

    More changes from both sides.

    Alhassan Yusuf replaces Alex Iwobi for Nigeria, while Jeremie Bela is on for Eddie Afonso for Angola.

  18. Postpublished at 80 mins

    Nigeria 1-0 Angola

    Dala AfconImage source, Getty Images

    Are we in for more late drama?

    Gelson Dala has four goals at this tournament so far...

  19. Best view of the action?published at 18:39 Greenwich Mean Time 2 February

    Nigeria 1-0 Angola

    Ian Williams
    BBC Sport Africa at Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium

    The Felix Houphouet-Boigny has been my favourite stadium at this tournament, with its compact, boisterous feel and central location right on the edge of Abidjan’s lagoon.

    But another remarkable feature is the aerial display you get as dusk falls and the city’s huge bat population, which hangs from the trees in this central business district, takes to the air.

    It means the sky above us currently resembles something out of a Batman movie.

    Meanwhile, down on the pitch, Angola are probably viewing the Video Assistant Referee as a superhero for ruling out that Victor Osimhen header.

  20. DISALLOWED GOALpublished at 78 mins

    Nigeria 1-0 Angola

    Victor Osimhen's firm header from Ademola Lookman's free-kick was palmed into the net by Dominique - but the striker, who'd taken his mask off and raced away to celebrate, is adjudged to have been fractionally offside following a check.

    A lifeline for Angola. They'd have been seriously up against it, had that been allowed.