Peter Obi cheers Super Eagles to victory against Angola from the stands

Peter Obi, the Labour Party torchbearer in the 2023 presidential election, watched from the stands as the Super Eagles came away with a 1-0 victory against Angola in the first quarter-final game at the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Obi made a short trip to neighbouring Cote d'Ivoire on the afternoon of Friday, February 2, 2024, to support the Super Eagles in their quest for a place in the last four of the competition.

A few hours before the game got underway, the Labour Party candidate, alongside another chieftain of the party, Valentine Ozigbo, had lunch at Sofitel Abidjan Hotel Ivoire with the former President of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick.

He later went on to cheer from the stands at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan as the Nigerian men's football team laboured to a lone-goal victory against the Palanca Negras.

Atalanta of Italy forward Ademola Lookman scored Nigeria's only goal in the 41st minute after latching onto a squared ball in the 18-yard box from Nantes winger Moses Simon to fire a left-footer past the Angolan keeper in goal.

Up until that moment, chances had been few and far between as both sides approached the game with caution.

However, midfielder marksman Alex Iwobi found wing-back Zaidu Sanusi down the left-hand side, and the Porto man played a teasing pass for Simon, who toe-poked past the onrushing Angolan defender to set up Lookman.

The game became even tighter from that point, with the Palanca Negras out of ideas on how to break down the stubborn Super Eagles' defence. Nigeria had an opportunity to extend their lead early in the second half but failed to make the most of it.

The Angolans, however, came scaringly close to restoring parity in the 59th minute when Jason Dala was sent through on goal but his effort only managed to hit the foot of the post after beating Stanley Nwabali in the Nigerian goal.

Napoli point-man Victor Osimhen thought he had doubled Nigeria's lead in the 75th minute, but his header was ruled out for offside.

The Super Eagles warded off the onslaught of the Angolans to hold out for a hard-earned victory.

Nigeria will next play the winner of the Cabo Verde and South Africa game on Wednesday, February 7, 2024, for a spot in the final.