AFCON: NIGERIA TO TAKE ON ANGOLA IN QUARTERFINALS

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By Ajape Sefiu A.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria will face Angola in the quarterfinals of the ongoing African Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire.

On Friday, February 2, 2024, at 6 p.m., Nigeria will take on the Giant Sable Antelope in the AFCON 2023 Quarterfinals at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan.

In a fiercely contested match, Nigeria defeated the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon decisively thanks to a brace by Ademola Lookman.

Meanwhile, the Super Eagles are still undefeated in the competition.

Angolan forward Jacinto Dala claims that his team deserves to advance to the tournament’s quarterfinals, according to CAF Online.

On Friday, the team trounced Namibia 3-0, with Jacinto Dala contributing to each of the three goals.

Notably, Angola has advanced to the tournament’s final eight for the first time since their 2008 semifinal performance.

“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,” he said.

Nigeria during AFCON 2019 at Egypt

In the round of sixteen of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, hosted by Egypt, the Super Eagles defeated Cameroon.

They battled back to win 3-2 after falling behind early.

Bahoken and N’Jia’s goals were canceled by Ighalo’s brace in the 19th and 63rd minutes and Iwobi’s winning goal in the 66th minute.

The Cameroonians scored in the 41st and 44th minutes.

Additionally, following a dramatic 1-1 tie against South Africa in the quarterfinals, William Troost-Ekong sealed the deal with a last-minute winner in the 89th minute.

Meanwhile, Nigeria and Algeria had a thrilling semifinal match.

Even with Ighalo’s penalty in the 72nd minute, Algeria’s place in the final was guaranteed by Ekong’s terrible own goal and Riyadh Mahrez’s goal in the 90+5 minutes.

Algeria won 2-1.

Nigeria however, beat Tunisia 1-0 in the third-place playoff. Odion Ighalo’s 3rd-minute goal was enough to secure victory for the Eagles.