Angola’s head coach, Pedro Goncalves, is confident ahead of their clash with Nigeria in the 2023 AFCON quarter-finals, scheduled for Friday, February 2. Despite Nigeria’s rich football history, Goncalves believes his team has what it takes to overcome the three-time AFCON champions.

Acknowledging Nigeria’s star-studded lineup, including players like Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, Goncalves highlighted a weakness he believes exists in the Nigerian team, which Angola plans to exploit.

“We respect Nigeria for their achievements in African football. They are a formidable team with players from top leagues like the Premier League. However, we’ve identified areas where they may be vulnerable,” said Goncalves.

He noted Nigeria’s effective 3-4-3 formation and the capabilities of players like Ola Aina and Zaidu Sanusi but remained optimistic about Angola’s chances. “We see this as a significant opportunity to make history. Our team is motivated, and we’ll demonstrate the strength of Angolan football on the field,” he added.

Angolan midfielder, Manuel Cafumana, echoed his coach’s sentiments, expressing confidence in their preparation and readiness to face Nigeria. “They’re a strong team, but we’re not afraid. It’s eleven players against eleven, and we’re determined to make our families and nation proud,” said Cafumana, who plays for Israeli club Maccabi Haifa.

As both teams gear up for a challenging encounter, the stage is set for an exciting clash between Nigeria and Angola in the AFCON quarter-finals.