As the ongoing African Cup of Nations continue in stages, the Super Eagles of Nigeria are gearing up for a face off against Angola in the quarterfinals.
The thrilling encounter is scheduled to take place at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan on Friday, February 2, 2024, at 6pm.
Nigeria’s journey to the quarterfinals has been marked by impressive performances and an unbeaten streak.
In a hard-fought battle against the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon, Ademola Lookman’s brilliant brace in each half secured a crucial victory for the Super Eagles.
As the anticipation builds, Angolan forward Jacinto Dala expressed his team’s determination and belief that they deserve their place in the quarterfinals.
Following their dominant 3-0 victory against Namibia, Dala was instrumental in all three goals, helping his team secure a place in the last eight of the tournament.
This marks Angola’s first appearance in the quarterfinals since their remarkable run to the semi-finals in 2008.
Reflecting on the team’s performance, Dala said, “We had a good performance today. The team deserved this qualification, and I’m very happy we made it happen. I will say the commitment and the involvement of all the players helped me win this man of the match.”
In the previous edition of the Africa Cup of Nations held in Egypt in 2019, the Super Eagles displayed their mettle by defeating Cameroon in the Round of 16.
Overcoming a two-goal deficit, Nigeria clinched a thrilling 3-2 victory, with goals from Odion Ighalo and Alex Iwobi. The team then had an intense quarterfinal clash against South Africa, where William Troost-Ekong’s late winner secured a 2-1 triumph after a hard-fought draw.
However, Nigeria faced heartbreak in the semi-finals when they encountered Algeria. Despite Ighalo’s well-converted penalty, a late own goal from Ekong and a last-minute strike by Riyadh Mahrez secured Algeria’s spot in the final, resulting in a narrow 2-1 defeat for the Super Eagles.
Nonetheless, the team showcased their resilience and ended the tournament on a high note, defeating Tunisia 1-0 in the third-place playoff thanks to Ighalo’s early goal.
As the Super Eagles gear up to battle Angola in the AFCON 2023 quarterfinals, fans and viewers can expect an exhilarating clash between two formidable teams vying for a spot in the tournament’s later stages.
