AFCON Round of 16: Angola vs Namibia preview
If the Africa Cup of Nations group stages are anything to go off, we can expect drama as Angola and Namibia kick-off the knockout stages at 17:00 GMT today.
Both sides are journeying beyond the group stages for the first time, but they will have their sights set on creating more history. How have they performed so far? What weaknesses need addressing? Find out as we state the cases for both sides…
The case for Angola
Angola may have been unheralded heading into the tournament, but their group stage campaign has cemented them as a fearsome prospect.
The Sable Antelopes went undefeated in Group D, claiming top spot with a total of seven points.
They sowed the seeds of Algeria’s elimination with a 1-1 draw on matchday one and followed up that impressive performance with a dramatic 3-2 win over Mauritania.
Algeria were the shock exit in Group D
With pole position up for grabs, they then defeated Burkina Faso 2-0 in a close-fought encounter.
Pedro Gonçalves will take encouragement from the defensive mettle and ruthless finishing shown in that final fixture.
Burkina Faso attempted twenty shots to Angola’s six, but it was only Agostinho Mabululu and Ambrosini Zini who found the net.
Captain Fredy and midfielder Bruno Paz were forced off with knocks in that game and they will be racing to find fitness ahead of today’s clash.
Fredy has returned to training
The Angolans have drawn upon something of an underdog mentality thus far, as Fredy recently told BBC Sport Africa.
He said: “In our country, the people weren’t too confident in the team but this was extra motivation for us – to prove them wrong.”
With confidence in full-flow now, it will be intriguing to see how they fare as the favoured side.
Underdogs Mauritania pushed Angola to their limits in the group stages
These sides have only met once before at AFCON, drawing 3-3 in the 1998 group stages.
Their most recent clash is as far back as 2015, so that 1-0 Angola win is hardly an indicator of how they will match-up.
While their opponents have netted once in the tournament so far, Angola’s attacking firepower has been their greatest asset.
They tallied six goals from four different goal scorers in the group stages, and that attacking variety will be key as they come up against a stubborn Namibia defence.
The case for Namibia
If the group stages of the Africa Cup of Nations have taught us anything, it’s the perils of writing-off the underdog.
Cape Verde topped Group B
The Brave Warriors taught us this lesson on matchday one of a Group E campaign that saw them qualify in third-place, beating Tunisia 1-0 to claim their first ever win at the tournament.
Their record since that historic day has been more mixed though.
They were humiliated 4-0 by rivals South Africa on matchday two, but restored some credibility with an assured performance in their 0-0 draw against Mali.
Namibia went toe-to-toe with Group E winners Mali
Having netted just one goal across these three group stage games, a solid defensive performance looks to be a requirement if they are to progress.
Collin Benjamin will also hope that the knockout stages can enliven striker Peter Shalulile, who is The Brave Warriors’ all-time top scorer.
However, wider attacking difficulties may explain the striker’s difficulties.
Namibia mustered just 22 shots across the group stages, with only Tanzania tallying fewer.
Their overall in-possession play poses cause for concern too, with the lowest passing accuracy of any side at the tournament (67.5%).
The star forward has looked isolated as a result, and is struggling to show the sharp finishing which has won him consecutive golden boots in the South African premier division.
Shalulile plays for Mamelodi Sundowns
South African premier division counterpart Deon Hotto has taken up the mantle of talisman in Shalilule’s slump.
It was Hotto heading home to make history in the 88th minute against Tunisia, and the Orlando Pirates midfielder earned man of the match for an imperious display against Mali.
With the gulf between Namibia’s standout performances and their less flattering ones so extreme, their chances against a strong Angola side will hinge on which Namibia shows up at 17:00 GMT today.
Will it be the dogged defenders who faced Tunisia? Or those dismantled by South Africa? Can Shalulile restore his goalscoring pedigree?
Collin Benjamin will hope his side can find the right answers to these questions.
