The 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) quarter-final between Nigeria's Tremendous Eagles and Angola's Palancas Negras may simply be labeled because the battle between the best and lowest ranked groups left in Ivory Coast.
Nigeria are ranked forty second within the present FIFA rankings and are the best ranked crew left within the competitors following the departure of Morocco (thirteenth), reigning champions Senegal (twentieth), Tunisia (twenty eighth), Algeria (thirtieth) and Egypt (thirty third). .
Angola, however, is the bottom ranked crew (117th) left at AFCON 2023.
Nigeria will purpose to defeat Angola within the quarter-finals of the competitors right this moment within the hunt for his or her fourth AFCON title and their first in 10 years – since 2013.
Nigeria will undoubtedly enter the match as odds-on favorites. The Tremendous Eagles have a greater head-to-head report with 4 wins, two attracts and one defeat in opposition to Angola.
The Nigerian crew boasts an array of stars in reigning African Footballer of the Yr Victor Osimhen, midfielder Ademola Lookman and a bunch of high gamers, whereas Angola will depend on the expertise of Mabululu and the tempo of Gelson Dala.
Whereas historical past and high-profile gamers are prone to be a bonus for Nigeria, 2013 AFCON winner Kenneth Omeruo, who has performed all of the matches for the Tremendous Eagles within the match, described the match in opposition to Angola as critical enterprise.
Nevertheless, the Nigerian defender stated he’s assured Angola will chunk the mud on the referee's ultimate whistle.
“Now we have completely no want to speak backwards and forwards with any crew. The Tremendous Eagles are in Ivory Coast on critical enterprise,” Omeruo stated.
“We haven't performed Angola for a very long time, however I keep in mind we performed a pleasant in opposition to them in 2012 and it led to a draw.
“I’ve additionally learn that earlier conferences between the 2 international locations have been fairly shut.
“It’s unimaginable for Friday's match to finish in a draw, there should be a winner. There was a lot speak. Our collective dedication is to do the speaking on the pitch. The Nigeria Spirit surpasses all.”
