Irreproachable Nigeria on Saturday produced an even more superb masterclass to overwhelm and over-run a dazed Algeria and reach the last-four of the ongoing 35th Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco.
The Desert Foxes goalkeeper, Luka Zidane, did his reputation a lot of good in the first period, foiling efforts by Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen as Nigeria exerted absolute authority inside the Grand Stade de Marrakech.
Osimhen danced to the right wing in the 7th minute but saw his intelligent cut-back swept out for a corner kick by Aissa Mandi. Osimhen’s header from the resultant corner kick flew over the sticks.
A quarter-hour later, Lookman streamed past the defence after another great pass by Alex Iwobi, only to see his effort smothered by Zidane.
Nigeria broke forward again in the 25th minute, but Zidane was alert and ran out to thwart the opportunity as Osimhen loomed once more. With eight minutes left in the first period, Akor Adams got at the end of another swift counter-attack but saw his effort fly over the bar with Zidane stranded.
Zidane and the Fennecs’ luck held well in the first 45 minutes, but two minutes into the second half, they were in no man’s land as Osimhen rose splendidly, suspending himself in the air, to nod into the net from a perfect pull-out by defender Bruno Onyemaechi. The great team goal started from Frank Onyeka’s pass to Adams, who found Iwobi, and who in turn found Onyemaechi.
Seven minutes later, another Onyemaechi cross and another Osimhen header. But this time, Zidane saved.
Three minutes before the hour, Nigeria established daylight between them and the North African country as Adams finished with aplomb from a great team move that started with Onyeka breaking down another Fennecs’ move and finding Iwobi, who found Osimhen. The 2023 African Player of the Year selflessly located Adams, and the Sevilla FC of Spain poacher rounded Zidane before slotting into the net for Nigeria’s second, and his own second AFCON goal.
With 10 minutes left, Adams came close to earning a brace and Nigeria’s third, with a diving header from Osimhen’s hard work and cross from the right. The ball ricocheted against the upright, saving the Fennecs’ blushes.
Victory shot the Super Eagles to a dream semi-final clash with hosts Morocco at the Crown Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on Wednesday night.
