Although Nigeria started slowly, they immediately found the back of the net as Semi Ajayi tapped the ball in from a close range at the ninth minute, only to be disallowed for offside.
Despite efforts by the Cameroonians to turn around, Nigeria ultimately triumphed at the 90th minute when Lookman raced onto Calvin Bassey’s low cross from the left and powerfully volleyed into the net.
In the 55th minute, Federico Bikoro's high challenge on Mohamed Bayo proved to be disastrous for the Equatoguineans as he was given a red, reducing Equatorial Guinea to ten men.
The second half of extra time saw Simon Banza missing a great chance for DR Congo that almost secured the victory for them, but the final score resulted in the first penalty shootout of the 2023 AFCON.
Senegal got off to a dream start when from a fast attack, Sadio Mané latched on to Ismail Jakobs’ throw-in and cut it back from the byline for Habib Diallo, who took the ball on his chest before swivelling and smashing it high into the roof of Yahia Fofana’s net right after four minutes.
However, Mali's valiant effort ultimately resulted in the win as Burkina Faso failed to repeat their heroic 2021 Africa Cup of Nations feat.
Being the superior team on paper, Morocco quickly applied pressure on South Africa and even got a goal by Abde Ezzalzouli at the 33rd minute, before it was ruled out for offside.
Unable to find the back of the net, Morocco were forced to pay a heavy price at the 57th minute when Evidence Makgopa sprung the offside trap, finishing well to the bottom left corner to spark shock celebration for the South Africans.
Morocco got a chance to equalise after Ayoub El Kaabi forced Mothobi Mvala to use hand on ball at the 83rd minute, giving a golden opportunity on the spot.
Nigeria were the better team on paper, but Angola forced them to work hard with a dangerous shot by Gilberto from a corner kick before denied by Stanley Nwabili.
Nigeria grew into the game, though, but not until the 41st minute that, when Moses Simon effortlessly skipped over Kialonda Gaspar’s challenge and teed up to Ademola Lookman smashed the ball home with a clinical first-time finish.
Empowered by the equaliser, DR Congo poured further efforts to find goal, but not until the 65th minute that Julian Jeanvier's poor foul against Silas Katompa Mvumpa on the box was capitalised by Yoane Wissa with a clinical penalty.
Mali were the better team at the first half and could have gotten the lead early when Odilon Kossounou bundled into Lassine Sinayoko in the box to give the Malians a penalty at the 16th minute, but Adama Traoré threw away that golden chance with his shot denied by Yahia Fofana.
However, Mali got a huge boost when from Jean Michaël Seri's misjudgement led to Kossounou to again foul Sinayoko, resulted in Ivory Coast reduced to ten.
Their most recent competitive meetings happened at the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification, which Cape Verde produced two shocking wins with coincidental results (2–1).