The dream of the Angolan football team reaching, for the first time, the semi-finals of the African Cup of Nations (CAN) ended today, after losing to Nigeria, 1-0, in Abidjan.
Led by the Portuguese Pedro Gonçalves, the Angolans wasted some scoring opportunities in a first half with little intensity, but saw the Nigerians, led by José Peseiro – former coach of Nacional – open the scoring, in the 41st minute, through Lookman, after the The Angolan defense was unable to stop a counterattack.
After wasting some opportunities, Angola had their big chance in the 58th minute, when Zini Salvador, isolated in the face of the opposite goalkeeper, hit the post.
Nigeria gave up having so much of the ball, giving it to the Angolans, and then focusing on counterattacks, and even hit the ball on goal again, but Osimhen’s goal was disallowed by the video referee for offside.
In the semi-finals, the team led by José Peseiro, three times African champions, will face Cape Verde or South Africa, who will face each other tomorrow.