Nigeria secured passage into the next stage of the Africa Cup of Nations with a 2-0 win over Cameroon at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny on Saturday.
Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman was the hero for Nigeria as his two goals, one in each half, earned the Super Eagles a place in the quarter-finals.
Nigeria thought they had gotten the lead early in the game when Semi Ajayi poked the ball home, but it was ruled offside, much to the consternation of Nigerian fans on the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter).
Leading 1-0 into the second half, the Eagles consolidated and got the second goal as Calvin Bassey fed Lookman to score his and Nigeria's second goal for a famous win over their neighbours and fierce rivals.
Afrobeat artiste salutes Super Eagles
One of Nigeria's biggest artistes, Crayon, also joined in the praise for the Super Eagles, taking to his account to post his joy at the Nigeria victory.
He was not the only high-profile individual who waxed lyrical about the performance, as former Nigeria Football Federation Vice President Shehu Dikko posted via his verified account @shehudikko and heaped encomiums on the players.
‘Get well soon Nwabali'
Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali had to go off injured in the 80th minute due to injury and this didn't go unnoticed as some fans posted get-well-soon messages to him.
The goalkeeper was firm in the game to help the Super Eagles get the win over Cameroon.
Unfortunately, he got injured after a Cameroon attacker clattered into him during the game and he had to be substituted.
Super Eagles earn high praise from Nigerians
The Super Eagles, who had been derided for lack of effort and intensity throughout the group stage, got accolades from Nigerians who praised their effort in the game against Cameroon.
There was special praise for the likes of Victor Osimhen, William Troost-Ekong, Man of the Match Ademola Lookman and Calvin Bassey.
Boniface keeps cooking
Super Eagles striker Victor Boniface, who missed the tournament due to injury, continued his social media banter with his Ghanaian and Cameroonian friends.
He had earlier mocked Ghanaian Youtuber Sheldon Kwadwo during the group stages after the Black Stars struggles, and this time around, he didn't hold back as he trolled them once more with a cryptic post on X.
He also praised the Super Eagles for their performance against the Indomitable Lions that secured Nigeria another famous AFCON win against their arch-rivals while posting a meme suggesting Nigerians are dancing on the streets after the Round of 16 victory.
With this victory, Nigeria will now take on Angola in the quarter-finals after the Palancas Negras defeated Namibia 3-0 in the first match of the day.
