Match Preview: Nigeria face unpredictable Angola in AFCON 2023 quarter-final clash
Recap
Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium
Nigeria
Angola
(Made In Africa Sport) – Three-time champions Nigeria will lock horns with an in-form Angola in the quarter-finals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2023) on Friday, with a place in the last four at stake.
The Super Eagles, buoyed by their 2-0 win over arch-rivals Cameroon in the last round, are seen as favourites on paper, being the highest-ranked team remaining in the competition. Their mean defence, having conceded just once so far, and the firepower of Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman make them a formidable force.
However, Angola are no pushovers. They topped their group unbeaten and stunned Namibia 3-0 in the round of 16. Led by the goalscoring prowess of Gelson Dala and their impressive attacking display throughout the tournament, they are full of confidence and determined to create an upset.
The Black Sable Antelopes have been on fire lately, presently on a ten-game unbeaten run, coming out on top where they weren’t expected to. An upset win against Burkina Faso, an impressive draw against Algeria, and Cape Verde have fueled their confidence, and they’re dreaming of pulling off another historic victory against Nigeria.
This will be the first-ever meeting between the two sides at the AFCON, adding another layer of intrigue to the encounter. While Nigeria boasts a strong record in quarter-finals, winning nine of their last ten, Angola are seeking their first-ever semi-final appearance.
Both teams have been among the highest performers so far in AFCON 2023, with joint-most wins (3) in the tournament alongside Cape Verde and ousted defending champions Senegal, and are also among the seven teams yet to lose a game (with matches decided by penalty shoot-outs counting as draws).
It’s a case of the best attack against the best defence. Angola boasts the tournament’s most potent attack, led by the prolific duo of Dala and Mabululu, who have combined for seven goals, exceeding Nigeria’s total team tally. But the Super Eagles counter with a rock-solid defence, having conceded only once in four games.
Notably, Nigeria’s prowess extends beyond its defensive capabilities; the Super Eagles have both created (16) and missed (12) the largest number of big chances, with Osimhen accounting for five of those misses, marking a tournament high.
While no Angolan has missed more than one big chance all tournament, four other Nigerians – Moses Simon (2), Zaidu Sanusi (2), Alex Iwobi (1), and Lookman (1) – join Osimhen in the top 50 list of most big chances missed in the competition.
The Super Eagles made 35 shot attempts inside the box but only managed to convert 4, resulting in a relatively modest 11% goal conversion rate. This stands in stark comparison to Angola’s 27%, as they successfully scored 9 out of their 33 attempts inside the box.
Nigerian coach Jose Peseiro acknowledges the Angolan threat, stating, “They are not a big name, but they play very well. We have to respect them, they are a great team.” His Angolan counterpart, Pedro Gonçalves, echoes the sentiment, saying, “This match is an opportunity to show our worth. We have worked and given our all to reach this level of the competition.”
AFCON 2023 PREDICTION
The quarter-final clash promises to be a tight affair, with both teams possessing their strengths and weaknesses. Nigeria’s experience and defensive solidity could prove decisive, but Angola’s attacking flair and underdog spirit should not be underestimated.
Can Osimhen and his teammates finally convert their chances into goals and breach the Angolan wall? Or will Dala and Mabululu continue their scoring spree and lead Angola to a historic upset? Submit your score prediction and stand a chance to win a data bundle here: Nigeria vs Angola Prediction
