Ademola Lookman soared like an eagle on Saturday night, his brace propelling Nigeria to a comfortable 2-0 victory over Cameroon and a ticket to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) quarterfinals.
The former Everton, Fulham, and Leicester midfielder was the undisputed star of the match, silencing the Indomitable Lions with a goal in each half.
His first goal, in the 36th minute, saw him coolly slot home after being played through by an electrifying assist by Victor Osimhen.
Cameroon, despite surviving an early VAR-disallowed goal for Semi Ajayi, never truly posed a threat to the Nigerian defense.
Inspired by Lookman’s clinical finishing and Osimhen’s constant menace, the Super Eagles dominated the midfield and created several promising chances.
The only sour note of the night came when goalkeeper Stanley Nwabili was forced injured and forced off in the 75th minute.
However, even the arrival of Cameroon’s talismanic striker, Vincent Aboubakar, couldn’t break through Nigeria’s resolve.
Lookman put the icing on the cake in stoppage time, tucking away a neat cross from Calvin Bassey to seal the win and send the Nigerian fans into raptures.
Nigeria can now look forward to a clash with Angola in the quarterfinals; their dream of AFCON glory is very much alive.
With Lookman firing on all cylinders and the team brimming with confidence, the Super Eagles are a force to be reckoned with.