A simple description of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations will be upsets and unpredictability. This is exemplified by the fact that none of the continent’s top 5 teams – Morocco, Senegal, Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt – will feature in the quarterfinals of this year’s competition.
In fact, none of the quarterfinalists from the AFCON 2021 will feature in the quarterfinals of this year’s edition, once again underlining the unpredictability of the 2023 AFCON thus far. Only four countries who lifted the trophy remain, and one of those nations is Nigeria.
The West African country is the highest-ranked nation left in the world and will be wary of growing title expectations following the surprise ouster of other heavyweights. Nigeria will be taking on the lowest-ranked nation left in the competition, Angola and one can only imagine if there will be more shock results on the cards.
Unlike Nigeria, who have progressed from 9 of their previous 10 quarterfinal ties, Angola is yet to make the semifinals of the Africa Cup of Nations. Angola’s swift transitions can challenge the resolute Super Eagles’ defence.
Of the 9 goals scored by Angola thus far, forwards, Gelson Dala and Mabululu have notched up four and three respectively in an impressive campaign thus far. More notable is Dala’s ability to create chances for his teammates, having created eight thus far, only Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi and Egypt’s Mohamed Hany have more (nine).
The Southern Africans also have captain Fredy, whose awesome creativity in the midfield has coughed up three assists. The Palancas Negras, who will be without their number one goalkeeper, Adilson Cipriano da Cruz due to suspension will bank on goalkeeper, Antonio Dominique to replicate the clean sheet he kept against Namibia.
Nigeria’s number one goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali is doubtful due to the injury he picked up in the win over Cameroon.
Although Nwabali has resumed full training with other goalkeepers, it is not certain he will start while his likely replacement, Francis Uzoho has come under fire for his sub-par performances recently. The Super Eagles have conceded once while scoring five times, though one was from the spot and the other an own goal. Although superstar, Victor Osimhen has netted once in the competition, the 25-year-old has received plaudits for his passion and energy in pressing up front as well as his defensive shift; such a performance will be needed from him and his teammates to keep the free-scoring Angolans at bay.
The Angolan attacking prowess represents the sternest test Nigeria’s defence will face in the tourney and the team will have to close down spaces quickly, especially when the Angolans are in offensive transition – an open game will be detrimental to the chances of Nigeria progressing.
