Nigeria could become the first team to qualify for the semifinals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations if they beat Angola in Friday evening’s showdown at the Stade Félix Houphouët Boigny in Abidjan.
The Super Eagles are seeking revenge as the Palancas Negras stopped a Nigeria side parading the likes of Austin Jay-Jay Okocha, Joseph Yobo and Yakubu Aiyegbeni from qualifying for the 2006 World Cup.
While Nigeria have the best defence at the 2023 AFCON with only one goal conceded, the creative Angola side have one of the best attacks with nine goals scored in four matches.
Angola coach Pedro Gonçalves has revealed that his team are aiming to beat their illustrious rivals by exploiting their weaknesses.
“We have a difficult task ahead of us against Nigeria in the African Nations quarter-finals. Peseiro is a great coach and his results with them are good,” Pedro Gonçalves said on Al-Hayat channel, via Filgoal.
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“Nigeria has a strong team led by Victor Osimhen, but they suffer from some problems that we will try to exploit.”
With the elimination of North African powerhouses Morocco, Algeria, Egypt and Tunisia, and defending champions Senegal, Pedro Gonçalves believes that Nigeria and Ivory Coast have the best chance to win the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
“Egypt, Morocco, Senegal, and Algeria were initially nominated to win the title, but they all bid farewell to the tournament.
“Now I believe that Côte d’Ivoire and Nigeria have the greatest chances of holding the title.”