Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Dennis Erezi
Published on 2024-02-02 08:34:24
The 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) has reached the quarter-final stage, and one of the standout matches is the clash between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Palancas Negras of Angola. This match has been dubbed the battle of the highest ranked team versus the lowest ranked team left in the competition in Ivory Coast.
Nigeria, currently ranked 42nd in the FIFA Rankings, are the highest-ranked side left in the competition after the exit of higher-ranked teams such as Morocco (13th), reigning champions Senegal (20th), Tunisia (28th), Algeria (30th), and Egypt (33rd). On the other hand, Angola, ranked 117th, are the lowest-ranked team remaining in AFCON 2023.
Nigeria’s aim in this quarter-final clash is to secure their fourth AFCON title and their first in 10 years, since their last win in 2013. They go into this match as the odds-on favorites, with a better head-to-head record against Angola, boasting four wins, two draws, and one defeat. The Nigerian team is filled with star players such as the reigning African footballer of the year Victor Osimhen, midfielder Ademola Lookman, and many other top talents. In contrast, Angola relies on the experienced Mabululu and the pace of Gelson Dala.
While Nigeria has the advantage of a strong historical record and high-profile players, 2013 AFCON winner Kenneth Omeruo, who has featured in all matches for the Super Eagles in the tournament, emphasized the seriousness of the upcoming match against Angola. He expressed his confidence in Nigeria’s ability to secure a victory.
Omeruo stated, “We have absolutely no need to go into back-and-forth chatter with any team. The Super Eagles are in Cote d’Ivoire for serious business. We have not played Angola for a long time but I remember we played them in 2012 in a friendly and it ended in a draw. I have also read of how previous encounters between the two countries have been quite close. There is no possibility of Friday’s match ending in a draw; a winner must emerge. So much talk has been going on. Our collective resolve is to do the talking on the pitch. The Nigeria Spirit trumps all.”
The match between Nigeria and Angola is highly anticipated and will undoubtedly be a thrilling encounter. As the highest-ranked team left in the competition, Nigeria will be looking to uphold their status and advance to the semi-finals. Conversely, Angola will be eager to defy the odds and cause an upset. Fans can expect an intense battle between these two teams as they compete for a spot in the latter stages of AFCON 2023.
