Nigeria vs. Angola: There was only one way it could go

2023 AFCON as they call it, has brought fans lots of surprises that no one saw coming, and if Nigeria getting into the semi-final after beating the likes of Angola, Ivory Coast and Cameroon was anything anyone saw coming; perhaps the last few months must have been lost to memory.

Of course, after their performance against the Black Antelopes of Angola, forgetting the Super Eagles of Nigeria had their worst run of form in those months, would be something every Nigerian fan would happily do.

Victor Osimhen promised fans that the best performance was yet to come for the Super Eagles, even after they had eliminated Cameroon in the Round of 16 to get to the Quarter final, and if his promises were gold, it showed its worth against the Angolans.

To put plainly, the Super Eagles not only gave the Black Antelopes a run for their money by producing a dominant display, they went farther to hold their steam to see out a 1-0 lead despite some moments of pressure from the Angolan team.

There was only one way the game could go for the Super Eagles after Ademola Lookman took the Eagles to the sight of the promised land; it was that the heroics of Lookman didn’t go in vain.

A tale of the Super Eagles becoming Super Heroes it would be, and if anyone deserved a cape aside Ademola Lookman or Moses Simon or the inevitable Victor Osimhen, then it had to be Stanley Nwabali.

Stanley Nwabali ditched an ‘injury’ holiday just to ensure Nigerians rested happy at full time whistle. And no matter the shots or threats he faced on goal, Nwabali was in no way ready to break his vow to protect the hearts of many Nigerians. Like the Superman he was during the match, he had on a smile for the cameras while at it.

Speaking of Victor Osimhen, a slight marginal offside call ruined what could have been his moment in the competition as he netted what could have been the double for Nigeria after outsmarting the Angola defense.

Either way, promises were made and promises had to be kept. His threat on the Angolan defense was enough to live up to it.