Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Guardian Nigeria
Published on 2024-02-02 03:20:19
The Africa Cup of Nations has reached its exciting final stages, with the initial field of 24 teams narrowed down to just eight.
Among the teams still in the running are the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Palancas Negras of Angola, who will be going head to head in today’s crucial match.
What makes this year’s competition particularly intriguing is that many of the more highly rated teams have been eliminated, leaving the door open for the underdogs to make their mark.
According to initial predictions by The Guardian, the Super Eagles are now among the favorites to win the tournament. They are joined by five other West African teams – Cote d’Ivoire, Mali, Cape Verde, and Guinea – as well as two Southern African teams, Angola and South Africa, and the DR Congo representing Central Africa. This diverse array of teams showcases the wide range of talent and competition in African football.
At the start of the tournament, it was the ‘giants’ Senegal, Egypt, Morocco, Cameroon, Burkina Faso, Tunisia, Equatorial Guinea, and The Gambia who were expected to dominate.
However, the past few weeks have proven to be full of surprises, as these top teams were sent home earlier than expected. Notably, all of Africa’s top five ranked teams – Morocco, Senegal, Tunisia, Algeria, and Egypt – have also failed to make it to the final stages.
In the upcoming matches, Nigeria will face Angola, and DR Congo will take on Guinea, while Mali will play against hosts, Cote d’Ivoire, and Cape Verde will battle South Africa. With a semifinal slot at stake, the pressure is on for each team to perform at their best and secure a spot in the next round.
For the Super Eagles, a win today would not only place them in familiar territory but also put them in a strong position to secure another podium finish. Following their recent victory against Cameroon, team member Moses Simon emphasized the importance of avoiding complacency and staying grounded in their approach to the game.
On the other side, Angola is entering the match with a high level of motivation. Their telecom company, UNITEL, has promised the team iPhone 15s, while Banco Keve has pledged $9,600 to each player if they emerge victorious.
Additionally, the Angolan diamond company, Social EP, has committed to awarding the team $250,000 if they win, and BAI previously rewarded each player with $6,000 for their 3-0 victory over Namibia in the round of 16.
As the competition heats up, the stage is set for an intense battle between the remaining teams, with the fans eagerly anticipating the outcome.
The unpredictability of African football has once again been on display, and with so much at stake, the remaining matches promise to be full of excitement and suspense.
