Afrigather 
Nigeria are set to sq. off towards Angola within the quarterfinals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations match.
On paper, the conflict between these two nations is a traditional David and Goliath faceoff.
With an illustrious AFCON historical past, Nigeria boast three championships, 4 runner-up finishes, and a outstanding top-four placement in 15 out of their 19 earlier appearances on the event.
In stark distinction, Angola is making solely their ninth AFCON look, having reached the quarterfinals twice within the period when the competitors featured 16 groups.
This yr marks a historic flip for Angola, reaching their first knockout spherical victory and securing three consecutive wins for the primary time in AFCON historical past.
This encounter, traditionally, could be an easy match for Nigeria, however the actuality guarantees a difficult contest.
Each groups have displayed spectacular kind in Cote d’Ivoire, remaining unbeaten in 4 video games, with three wins and one draw every.
Surprisingly, Angola maintain a slight edge, having scored 9 objectives in comparison with Nigeria’s 5.
Nonetheless, the Tremendous Eagles boast a sturdy defence, conceding just one objective in distinction to Angola’s three.
The goal-scoring brilliance of Angola’s primary man, Gelson Dala, with 4 objectives, contrasts with Nigeria’s prime striker, Victor Osimhen, who has contributed one objective.
Regardless of the statistics, Angola’s coach, Pedro Gonçalves, acknowledges the energy of the Tremendous Eagles however emphasises the Palancas Negras is not going to be petrified of the previous champions’ pedigree.
“Whoever arrived right here has nothing to concern,” Pedro Gonçalves stated, as per the FAF.
“Whoever arrived right here has to really feel immensely happy with your complete journey they’ve taken, of getting gone via conditions minimally typical of excessive sporting efficiency, however which by no means took our focus and by no means deviated from the trail we wished to comply with.
“Actually, we’re going to play towards a particularly highly effective workforce, however we have a look at this recreation from the angle of alternative; a possibility that was achieved with a whole lot of work, a whole lot of sweat, a whole lot of resilience, a whole lot of focus and a whole lot of willpower, particularly from the gamers, but additionally from your complete employees, particularly my whole technical workforce, who’ve all the time been decided and dedicated unsurpassable, highlighted the coach.
“We have a look at (the sport) as a possibility to offer sustainability to our venture.”
Angola enter the conflict on a excessive observe, having not misplaced any of their final 9 video games in all competitions.
The pinnacle-to-head file between the 2 nations stands evenly poised, with Nigeria and Angola securing two victories every and sharing 5 attracts.
