Angola set sights on Super Eagles scalp

by Bertin Basson

Friday Jan 26, 2018. 20:12

Nigeria will be aiming to avoid an upset when they take on Angola in a 2018 African Nations Championship (Chan) quarterfinal clash at the Stade Ibn Batouta in Tangier on Sunday.

Kick-off is at 18h30 CAT (SA, GMT+2).

The Super Eagles advanced into the knockout stages as Group C winners, having racked up successive wins over Libya (1-0) and Equatorial Guinea (3-1), following a goalless draw against Rwanda in their tournament opener.

Palancas Negras finished second in Group D, two points behind Congo-Brazzaville who will lock horns with Libya in their quarterfinal clash.

Angola, like Nigeria, are unbeaten at this year's continental competition. The Southern African's have yet to concede a goal in Morocco, but have scored just one in return over the course of 270 minutes of football.

Anthony Okpotu, Ekundayo Ojo and Rabiu Ali found the back of the net for Nigeira in victory over Equatorial Guinea last time out, to the delight of head coach Salisu Yusuf.

“We passed a great test of character and the team should be commended,” said Yusuf.

“The goal by Equatorial Guinea stunned us because we did not expect it. But good enough we fought back in the second half to win.”

Captain Ikechukwu Ezenwa is confident that Nigeria will book their place in the final four of the competition, barring they take their chances against Angola.

“We have to play to win and we hope to take our chances,” Ezenwa added.

“We are looking forward to our next game, we hope to be in the semifinal. The solidarity and the spirit in the team have carried us this far and we hope to continue to work hard," he concluded.

The winner will take on either Sudan or Zambia for a place in the final of the continental showpiece.