ABIDJAN – Nigeria coach Jose Peseiro hailed Victor Osimhen for his “fantastic” performance as the Super Eagles beat Cameroon 2-0 at the Africa Cup of Nations on Jan 27.

“He didn’t score, but he had a fantastic game. It is not easy to stop that guy,” the Portuguese coach said, following the last-16 tie in the Ivory Coast city of Abidjan.

Ademola Lookman scored both goals, but African Footballer of the Year Osimhen set up the first and his remarkable running and pressing created constant problems for the Cameroon defence.

“Ask the opposition defenders how much they suffered. The first goal, he created the goal. He is fantastic for our team. Nobody can win a match alone, everybody has to play, but he is a good example,” Peseiro said.

Added Lookman: “It was a big performance from the team, we fought well from the first minute to the 100th minute.”

Meanwhile, Cameroon coach Rigobert Song said a lack of experience cost his side.

“I have a young team and players who are learning at this level. They will learn and improve from their mistakes. In two or three years from now, it will be the same players but a different team,” he admitted.

Three-time champions Nigeria now advance to a quarter-final on Feb 2 against Angola, and it remains to be seen if goalkeeper Stanley Nwabili will be able to play in that game after he was stretchered off late on against Cameroon.

“It is impossible to evaluate immediately the situation. We need 24-48 hours before we know, but if he cannot recover, we will play with another goalkeeper,” Peseiro said.

On Angola, who topped their group and then defeated Namibia 3-0 in the last 16 on Jan 27, Peseiro added: “They are a very good team. In this moment, all the teams can win this tournament. Angola have performed very well, and if we want to beat them we must do our best, like today.”

Gelson Dala bagged a brace for Angola and Mabululu scored their other goal.

Dala took his goal tally to four – one fewer than 34-year-old chart-topper Emilio Nsue of Equatorial Guinea – by scoring twice before half-time in Bouake.

Angola captain Fredy, who created both of Dala’s goals, dedicated the triumph to the people of his country. He said: “Economically, times are tough for many Angolans, so I hope our victory has lifted spirits back home. We are in the quarter-finals having come to Ivory Coast as outsiders.

“That rating was hardly surprising, as only Tanzania and the Gambia were ranked lower among the 24 contenders. But being written off by many observers motivated us. We believe in our abilities as footballers and are raring to go against Nigeria.

“Once again we will be the underdogs and once again we will be determined to prove the forecasters wrong. We are proud Angolans and fear no team.” AFP, REUTERS