AFCON quarter-finals: Nigeria vs Angola preview
The quarterfinals of the Africa Cup of Nations kick-off when the Super Eagles of Nigeria take on the Sable Antelopes of Angola tomorrow at Stade Félix Houphouët Boigny (17:00 GMT).
A win for Nigeria would see them advance to the AFCON semi-finals for the 16th time. While an Angolan win would earn them a place in their first-ever AFCON semi-final.
Will José Peseiro’s side keep their quest for a fourth continental crown alive? Or will Pedro Gonçalves’ Angola dance their way into the final four?
All eyes are on the AFCON trophy / Image Credit: Ben Sutherland
The case for Nigeria
The Super Eagles put on a dominant display in the Round of 16, dispatching five-time champions Cameroon 2-0 in convincing fashion.
The Super Eagles are unbeaten in their last 12 internationals in all competitions
The victory was their third straight at AFCON, and they have kept a clean sheet in all three of those victories.
Nigeria’s opening-day 1-1 draw against Equatorial Guinea seems to have been a blessing in disguise. The 3-4-3 system deployed by Peseiro since then has kicked them into gear.
The only warranted criticism of the Super Eagles would be their lack of cutting-edge upfront, as Victor Osimhen has still netted only once at AFCON.
Osimhen’s goal against Equatorial Guinea was his first-ever AFCON goal
However, against Cameroon Osimhen made a massive impact even without finding the back of the net.
His tireless pressing allowed him to dispossess Oumar Gonzalez and set up Ademola Lookman’s first goal, and was also a catalyst for Nigeria’s front-foot approach throughout the game.
Lookman’s double against Cameroon has undoubtedly cemented his place in the starting 11 alongside Osimhen, while Samuel Chukwueze will likely start on the right.
Lookman’s double earned him the Man of the Match against Cameroon
First-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabili came off injured in the 80th minute of their victory against Cameroon after a collision with Georges-Kévin Nkoudou.
However, Nwabili returned to training during the week so is expected to start, and will be tasked with stopping the free-flowing Angolans from scoring.
Nwabili replaced Francis Uzoho as Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper before the tournament
Captain William Troost-Ekong could be doubtful, as he and Osimhen were not involved in the Super Eagles’ training session on Monday.
Troost-Ekong told Daily Post Nigeria: “I’m struggling with a small injury since the Ivory Coast game. But I’ll be ready to play on Friday if the coach selects me.”
Troost-Ekong scored the decisive penalty in Nigeria’s 1-0 group-stage win against hosts Ivory Coast, who they could potentially meet again in the final
If Troost-Ekong were to miss out, Kenneth Omeruo, who partnered Semi Ajayi and Calvin Bassey in Nigeria’s 1-0 win against Guinea-Bissau would start in his place.
The Super Eagles have won 15 of the 16 AFCON quarter-finals they have played in, with their only quarter-final loss being a 2-1 defeat to Ghana in the 2008 edition.
Ghana was the host nation at AFCON 2008
The three-time champions will have the backing of over 200 million Nigerians, and a win would put them potentially just 180 minutes away from euphoria.
The case for Angola
The Sable Antelopes have been a breath of fresh air at AFCON. Their charismatic and cohesive pre-game dance routines have entertained just as much as their on-field brilliance.
In reaching the quarter-finals they have equaled their best-ever AFCON result, previously reaching this stage at the 2008 edition, and the 2010 edition which they hosted.
Angola lost 1-0 to Ghana in the 2010 AFCON quarterfinals
Agostinho Mabululu has been a joy to watch this tournament, reviving the legendary Panther celebration and also netting three times.
The iconic Panther
His forward partner Gelson Dala has been equally as impressive. Dala’s four AFCON goals so far have shown he can threaten any defence, even one as formidable as Nigeria’s.
In the race for the Golden Boot, he sits level on goals with Egypt’s Mostafa Mohamed, and one goal behind Equatorial Guinea’s Emilio Nsue, both of whom have now been knocked out of the tournament.
Mohamed missed his spot-kick in Egypt’s penalty shootout loss to DR Congo in the Round of 16
The Sable Antelopes made no such slip-ups. They topped Group D comfortably after a 1-1 opening-day draw with Algeria, was followed with an eventful 3-2 victory against Mauritania and a 2-0 win against Burkina Faso.
Angola then comfortably dispatched Namibia 3-0 in the Round of 16, in a game that saw both teams reduced to 10 men.
Dala scored a brace against Namibia
First-choice goalkeeper Neblú saw red in the 17th minute of that game for handling the ball outside of the box.
Gonçalves will now call upon Antonio Signori in his starting 11, who replaced Neblú in goal after his dismissal.
However, this will not dampen Angolan spirits. Like Nigeria, the Sable Antelopes have also won three straight AFCON games since drawing in their opening fixture.
The Angolan energy has been unmatched at AFCON 2023
Outside of a 2-1 loss to Nigeria in the African Nations Championship in 2018, they are unbeaten in their last four against the Super Eagles.
The Sable Antelopes play fearless football and are beginning to dream, as the first AFCON semi-final in Angolan history is in sight.
