By Victor Enyinnaya on February 2, 2024

Today, by 6pm Nigeria will square up against Angola in quarter- final football supremacy inside the main bowl of Felix Houpiouet Boigny stadium Abidjan quest for a semi final ticket at the ongoing AFCON football summit.

Nigeria is definitely in a grudge game against Angola who is paired to do battle to determine who would get the nod for semi final placing in the championship that has proved bookmakers wrong in many aspects since the hostiles began.

The stage is set and a semi final team must emerge after this encounter between Super Eagles and the Palancas Negras.  It is on record that football meets between these countries have not had any dull moments way back. Truth also is that Angola has given Nigeria run for her money as difficulties have been pinpointed in each encounter.

Today’s encounter would not be any exception though reports emanating from both camps have if they are translated on the field of play, then fans are in for an exciting, dogged, technical, tactical and tight football as both try each other for size.

While Nigeria remains one of football power house in the continent, football analysts and bookmakers have pointedly not swept the compact football display by the Angolan under the carpet. The boys from this South African region have given great account of themselves since the tournament kicked off. The Palancas  Negras play confident football also that put opponents in their edge.

Today’s game will be tough and tight as each team will approach the match cautiously. However Nigeria has been moving steadily as the game progresses and will redouble her efforts to make the expected difference against the Angolan team that would bring everything into the game to prove a point.

The young lads from Nigeria have displayed typical Nigerian resilient spirit that we have known Nigerian teams of whenever the chips are down.  The Super Eagles have displayed great zeal, focus, cohesion, determination and setting agenda for the games the square has played so far.

The Super Eagles players have vowed to repeat her knowhow in the match against Angola today.  The Nigerians also have tasked themselves to ensure that they would advance to the semi-final stage and then take it from their thenceforth.

The boys like their Angolan counterparts are aware it will not be a push over game and would be vigilant as the now or never football quarter final match.  Once must vividly note the injury worries in the Super Eagles camp and summit that the presence of Stanley Nwabli has brought stability confidence in the defence formation of the Super Eagles.     

His presence as the last man in the defence formation of the Eagles today would add more vigour as Nigeria embarks of operation stop the invading Palancas Negras who is obviously standing between Nigeria and advancement to the next stage in Africa’s most prestigious football championship.   Has to redouble its alertness in walling off any dangerous incursion (s) in the encounter that pundits have  

Jose Peresie and his assistants would be up in arms gamely today to ensure the Super Eagles team will play to optimum that will strong enough to upturn whatever match plans and tactics the stubborn Angolans may mount.  While Victor Oshimen and Ademola would ensure spirited onslaught up front the mid- field would be at their best in ensuring that it control that vital area in the field. The defenders have to redouble their alertness in stoutly walling off any dangerous incursion (s) in the encounter that pundits have tagged too close to call because of previous meets.

In as such as the Black Antelopes of Angola are battle ready to snatch the semi-final ticket at the expense of Nigeria.  It won’t be easy as both teams would closely study each ball for ball, even eye ball to eyeball. A tough game looms between these rival opponents as they reenact their readiness for an upper hand.

Angolan coach Pedro Conclaves has been talking tough on today’s match vowing that it is too late for them to look back.  He added that Nigeria won’t stop their collective resolve.   Pedro declared Super Eagles of being so unlucky to meet his wards in this stage of the tournament.

Source Daily Sports Nigeria

Posted February 2, 2024

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