Nigeria gears up to face Angola in the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium on Friday.
Having surpassed expectations by defeating age-old rivals Cameroon in the round of 16, the Super Eagles are determined to outshine their AFCON 2021 performance.
The Nigerian squad, under the guidance of coach Jose Peseiro, is riding high on confidence after a convincing 2-0 victory over Cameroon in the last round.
Ademola Lookman’s two goals and Victor Osimhen’s relentless efforts have propelled Nigeria forward, making fans believe in the prospect of clinching a fourth AFCON title.
Osimhen’s gritty performance, despite not adding to his goal tally, has been crucial for the team.
The defensive prowess displayed by Peseiro’s men has been a significant factor in their success, with a tight rearguard restricting opponents to minimal shots on goal. The last clear-cut chance against them dates back to the 1-0 triumph over Cote d’Ivoire in the second group stage match.
With the tournament bracket opening up after South Africa’s surprising victory over World Cup 2022 semi-finalists Morocco, Nigeria is now considered a strong contender to advance to the final.
However, the Super Eagles cannot afford to underestimate Angola, who stand in their path to the semi-finals. Angola, the highest-ranked side left in the competition, surprised many by topping Group B, which included 2019 champions Algeria.
Pedro Goncalves’s men have been in scintillating form, registering victories against Mauritania (3-2), Burkina Faso (2-0), and Namibia (3-0) after a 1-1 draw with Algeria.
Gelson Dala and Mabululu have been the driving force behind Angola’s attacking prowess, accounting for an impressive 77.8% of the team’s goals in the tournament.
Their partnership will be crucial in challenging the solid Nigerian defense. Angola has a history of thwarting Nigeria’s ambitions, notably denying them a place at the 2006 World Cup.
The recent win against Namibia marked only Angola’s second-ever success in the Cup of Nations knockouts, adding to their historic triumph against Namibia. To secure a spot in the AFCON 2023 semis, Angola must produce a top-notch performance to overcome the formidable Super Eagles.
Both teams enter the quarter-final clash with impressive recent forms. Nigeria’s AFCON form stands at four wins, while their overall form across competitions shows four wins, one draw, and one loss. Angola, on the other hand, boasts an identical AFCON form and an overall record of three wins, two draws, and one loss.
In terms of team news, Nigeria is concerned about the availability of goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, who sustained an injury against Cameroon. The goalkeeper trained on Tuesday, but his status remains uncertain. Vice-captain William Troost-Ekong is troubled by a thigh problem, and his absence from training on Monday and Tuesday raises concerns for Peseiro.
Nigeria is expected to field an attacking trio of Osimhen, Lookman, and Moses Simon, maintaining their strategy from previous matches. Angola will miss the services of the suspended Neblu, who was sent off in the match against Namibia.
As the two teams prepare to lock horns in Abidjan, the clash promises to be a gripping encounter between the experienced Super Eagles and the resilient Palancas Negras.
The outcome will significantly shape the path to the AFCON 2023 final, and both sides are eager to make history and etch their names in the annals of African football.
