Nigeria is set to take on a tactically strong opponent, Angola, in the quarterfinal of the 2023 African Cup of Nations, AFCON.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles, among other things, are seeking revenge after Angola stopped them from participating in the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
Angola beat Nigeria by 1-0 in the first leg in Lagos in June 2005 while the Super Eagles needed to win that match to qualify for the World Cup.
The Angolan side then forced the Super Eagles to a 1-1 draw in Lagos to qualify for the World Cup at the expense of Nigeria.
Also, on the 12th of August, 1989, Sam Okwaraji died on the field while playing for Nigeria in a 2nd round World Cup qualifier against Angola,
Okwaraji slumped on the pitch and died immediately. It was 77 minutes into the match.
Fast forward to AFCON 2023, Nigeria defeated Cameroon 2-0 in the round of sixteen to qualify for the quarterfinals while Angola, on the other hand, thrashed Namibia 3-0 to book their place.
Head to head: Nigeria has played Angola four times in Africa Cup of Nations qualifying series. The Super Eagles have been able to win just one of those matches. The other three ended in draws.
The Super Eagles have failed to win in their last three Africa Cup of Nations marches against Angola.
In total, Nigeria and Angola have met nine times with the West African giants winning twice and losing twice. The match ended in a draw on five occasions.
DAILY POST reports that Nigeria has lined up the likes of Nwabali, Ajayi, Troost-Ekong, Bassey; Aina, Onyeka, Iwobi, Zaidu; Moses Simon, Lookman and Osimhen for the game.
In this tournament, Ademola Lookman, Ola Aina, Victor Osimhen, Troost-Ekong and Calvin Bassey have been Super Eagles’ most outstanding players.
Nigeria should, however, be wary of the likes of Tó Carneiro, Zito Luvumbo, Gelson Dala in the Angolan lineup.
Where to watch:
Supersport on DSTV & GOTV, Startimes Sports.
The match will be played at Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Abidjan.
Date and time: Friday 2nd February, 2024 at 18:00 WAT.
