Angola will face Namibia in the Round of 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations. The Brave Warriors have already made history at AFCON 2023. They have made it to the knockout rounds for the first time in the nation’s history. They should back themselves against a side without recent exploits at this stage.
Preview (Angola vs. Namibia)
At the Cup of Nations, Angola was supposed to compete with Burkina Faso for second place in Group D. The Palancas Negras upset pre-tournament forecasts by winning the group. After failing to advance in 2012, 2013, and 2019, Pedro Goncalves’ team finished with seven points, meaning they will play a fourth game at the continental showpiece for the first time since hosting the championships in 2010. The Southern African team, who had never won more than one of these tournaments. They also set a new record by claiming two titles. If they win again on Saturday, they might tie the record at three.
In a goal-heavy tournament, Goncalves’s team has benefited from their goal-scoring ability. Their six strikes match their total from 2012 (four), 2013 (one), and 2019 (one) put together. That surely puts the Palancas Negras in a strong position to advance past Namibia. They will face either Nigeria or Cameroon in the quarterfinals of the following round. Even though the Brave Warriors are unfamiliar with this stage of the Cup of Nations, Angola is not anticipated to have it easy. In their tournament opener in Group E, Collin Benjamin’s team historically defeated 2004 winners Tunisia. They thereby guaranteeing their spot in Saturday’s match as one of the top third-place teams.
Namibia’s first-ever victory in the finals came via Deon Hotto’s 88th-minute winner against the Eagles of Carthage. Despite losing their second game 4-0 to South Africa, Namibia had something to build on. The Brave Warriors advanced to a fourth match against Group C champions Angola thanks to a clean sheet in the final match against Mali. Because of the Palancas Negras’ recent inexperience at this level, the playing field is even in Bouake.
Team News
Mandelulu and Gelson Dala, two of Angola’s four goal-scorers, each have two goals, and both are expected to be key players in Saturday’s match in Bouake. Whether Bruno Paz and Fredy—who were substituted against Burkina Faso—will be able to play against the Brave Warriors is still up in the air. Despite scoring four goals in AFCON qualifying, Namibia’s captain Peter Shalulile has not impressed against stronger opponents in the finals. It is likely that Benjamin, the Brave Warriors’ manager, will continue with his usual 4-1-4-1 strategy against Angola on Saturday.
Angola 2-0 Namibia
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