The Angola national team has had a fairytale run at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), winning Group D ahead of 2019 champions Algeria, Burkina Faso, and Mauritania.
They drew 1-1 with Algeria, beat Mauritania and Burkina Faso 3-2 and 2-0, respectively, before defeating Namibia 3-0 in the round of 16 to set up a meeting with three-time champions Nigeria on Friday.
After their qualification to the last eight, coach Pedro Gonçalves said, “It’s important to keep being resilient and focus on each match as we try to make efforts in each game.”
The Palancas Negras are making their ninth appearance in the competition, but they have never advanced beyond the quarterfinals, having reached the final eight twice as hosts in 2008 and 2010.
They hope to reach the semifinals for the first time in their history when they face a determined Nigerian team led by reigning African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen.
Angola will rely on their star, Gelson Dala, who became the first player from his country to score two braces (against Mauritania and Namibia) in the same AFCON tournament.
Dala will not be the only attack that the Nigerian defenders will have to deal with, as Mabululu has three goals in the competition and has been a menace to defenders.
