Facts & Figures

• Nigeria has an impressive record against Angola ahead of their quarter-final clash at Friday’s TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations in Abidjan, Cafonline reports.

• The Palancas Negras, who have been one of the surprise teams of the competition so far, will be seeking to stop the Super Eagles in their match to be played in the Ivorian capital city.

• Below are some of the statistics and information on the game:

• This will be the first-ever encounter between Nigeria and Angola at the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations. Their last meeting in any competition dates back to January 2018 at the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championships, with the Super Eagles winning 2-1 after extra time in the quarter-final.

• Angola’s last victory against Nigeria was a World Cup qualifier in June 2004, which ended 1-0 thanks to the winning goal by Angola’s all-time top-goal scorer Akwa.

• Nigeria are playing in their 11^th quarter-final match at the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, no team have ever played in more games at this stage of the competition (Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire and Tunisia also 11).

• Nigeria has won its last three AFCON games without conceding; it has never won four consecutive matches in a single edition.

• Angola have won their last three matches at the CAF Africa Cup of Nations – a fourth victory at AFCON 2023 would see them equal their total number of wins across all eight of their previous tournament appearances combined (P26 W4 D12 L10).

• Angola have won their last two AFCON matches without conceding; they’ve never previously kept three consecutive clean sheets in the competition.

• Nigeria is the team with the second-highest Expected Goals total at the 2023 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (7.5 xG), and the side with the lowest Expected Goals faced total at this edition (1.6 xGA).

• Following his second brace at AFCON 2023, against Namibia during the last timeout, Gelson Dala is the joint-top goal scorer (4) for Angola in a single edition of the tournament, along with Manucho (four goals in 2008).

• Ademola Lookman scored his first ever TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations goals (2) against Cameroon in the last 16. He could become the fourth Nigerian to score three or more goals in the knockout rounds of a single AFCON edition, after Odion Ighalo in 2019 (4), Jay-Jay Okocha in 2004 (3) and Rashidi Yekini in 1994 (3).

• Suppose Angola’s Gelson Dala scores a fifth goal at AFCON 2023 (joining top scorer Emilio Nsue). In that case, two players will have scored five or more goals in consecutive AFCON tournaments, after Toko–Ekambi (5) and Aboubakar (8) for Cameroon at AFCON 2021 – more than the number of players (3) that scored as many as five goals in the previous ten editions between 2002 and 2019 (Samuel Eto’o in 2006 and 2008, Gedo in 2010 and Odion Ighalo in 2019, all five goals).

Facts & Figures

• The TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final clash between DR Congo and Guinea will occur on Friday, and the game is expected to be explosive.

Below are some of the statistics and information on the game:

• DR Congo is facing Guinea for the fourth time at the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, with the previous three encounters coming in the group stages (one win each and a draw). In the last meeting in the 2004 group stage, the Sylli National came from behind to win 2-1 thanks to goals from Titi Camara and Pascal Feindouno.

• DR Congo will play in their first quarter-final at the CAF Africa Cup of Nations since 2017 (lost 2-1 to Ghana), while they last reached the first semi-finals in 2015 (won 4-2 vs Congo in QF, lost 3-1 to Côte d’Ivoire in SF).
• Three of DR Congo’s last four knockout games at the CAF Africa Cup of Nations have been decided by penalties, with the Leopards winning two (against Egypt in the previous round and against Equatorial Guinea in the third-place match in 2015) and losing one (against Madagascar in the Last 16 in 2019).

• Guinea has won two of its four matches at AFCON 2023 (D1 L1), as many victories as in its previous 13 competitive games (W2 D6 L5).

• DR Congo has drawn their last five AFCON games, their second-longest such run after drawing their six group stage games across the 2013 and 2015 editions.

• Guinea could win three matches at a single AFCON for the third time, last doing so when winning all three group stage matches in 2006 (also three wins in 1976).

• DR Congo has faced just 28 shots at the 2023 CAF Africa Cup of Nations, the joint-fewest in the tournament, along with Morocco. Guinea, however, has faced the fewest shots on target (4).

• Mohamed Bayo has netted two of Guinea’s three goals at AFCON 2023; he could become the first Guinea player to score three goals in a single edition since Pascal Feindouno scored four in 2006.

• Meschack Elia has been directly involved in three of DR Congo’s last four goals at the Africa Cup of Nations (one goal, two assists). He’s the only Leopards player to both score (1) and assist (1) in a single edition across their last two tournaments (2019 and 2023).

• Arthur Masuaku has played 45 passes into the opponents’ box at AFCON 2023, at least 20 more than any other DR Congo player has made in a single edition on record (since 2010).

Facts & Figures

Despite entering the knockout stage as the third-place qualifier, Cote d’Ivoire has shown resilience to reach the quarter-finals of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations despite their shaky start in the competition, Cafonline reports.

The Elephants face a big test to their character when they take on the talented Mali side, who are keen on making history with their free-flowing style of play.

Below are some of the statistics and information on the game:

• This will be the sixth CAF Africa Cup of Nations encounter between Mali and Côte d’Ivoire and the first since meeting in the last 16 in 2019 (1-0 win for Côte d’Ivoire). The Elephants have never lost a CAF Africa Cup Nations match against the Eagles, winning four of their previous five games (D1). In comparison, against no other team has they played more often in the competition without losing (also unbeaten in five games against Togo).

• Mali have scored just two goals in their previous five AFCON games against Côte d’Ivoire (conceded nine), against no team that they’ve played more than twice in the competition have they scored fewer goals.

• Mali has progressed from all five previous quarter-final appearances at the Africa Cup of Nations. Indeed, it is the most number of matches any team has played in this round without ever being eliminated.

• Côte d’Ivoire are through to the quarter-finals of AFCON 2023 despite losing two of their last three matches; before the 1-0 defeat to Nigeria in their second group game this year, they’d only lost two of their previous 19 games in the competition.

• Côte d’Ivoire has only scored three goals in getting to the quarter-finals of AFCON 2023, the fewest they’ve ever scored in a single edition when playing a minimum of four matches.

• Suppose Côte d’Ivoire were to progress against Mali. In that case, the hosts (or co-hosts) will have reached at least the semi-finals in consecutive AFCON tournaments (after Cameroon finished third in 2021) for the first time since a run of seven tournaments between 1996 and 2008.

• Mali is unbeaten in their last eight AFCON matches since the start of the 2021 edition (W4 D4), conceding just three goals and keeping five clean sheets.

• Côte d’Ivoire has recorded 49 sequences of 10+ passes in open play at the 2023 CAF Africa Cup of Nations (12.3 per match). Over the last five editions, only Cameroon in 2021 (78, 11.1 per match) has made more in a single tournament.

• Côte d’Ivoire has scored from just 5.6% of their shots at AFCON 2023 (3/54); only DR Congo (5.4% 3/56) have a lower shot conversion rate among the quarter-finalists, while it’s the worst ratio in a single AFCON edition for Côte d’Ivoire on record (since 2010).

• Lassine Sinayoko has scored three of Mali’s five goals at AFCON 2023 and could become the first Malian to score four goals in a single edition since Freddy Kanoute in 2004 (4).

As TotalEnergies CAF AFCON heads into a pivotal stage

Credit: en.africatopsports.com

AFCON 2023: Senegalese referee to take charge of Nigeria, Angola duel

By Rasheed Adewuyi

Senegalese official Issa Sy will be the referee when Nigeria takes on Angola in Friday’s Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final encounter at the Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny in Abidjan.

Sy will have compatriots Djibril Camara and Nouha Bangoura in tow as assistant referees 1 and 2, respectively, alongside Mauritanian official Abdel Aziz Bouh as the fourth official.

Modibo Samake from Mali will serve as reserve assistant referee, while Ahmad Nazeer Hossein Bowud from Mauritius and Ali Mohamed Ahmed from Somalia will be commissioner and referee assessor, respectively.

The match, which will commence at 5 pm Cote d’Ivoire time (6 pm Nigeria time), will be another of the rare occasions that Nigeria and Angola tango on the turf, with few clashes between both nations at senior level over the years.

Nigeria edged Angola to reach the final round of the qualification series for the 1990 FIFA World Cup finals (2-2 in Luanda and 1-0 in Lagos), but the Angolans stepped on Nigeria to make their single appearance at the FIFA World Cup finals, when they won 1-0 in Luanda and held the Eagles 1-1 in Kano to edge the head-to-head contest that was the determining factor for the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification series.

Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali is fit to start Friday’s encounter, though Coach Jose Peseiro has indicated he may not want to risk the safe hands if he is not fit enough for the tie.

The winner of Friday’s encounter will square up with the clash between Cape Verde’s Blue Sharks and South Africa’s Bafana Bafana in one of the semi-final matches at the Stade de la Paix in Bouake.

TotalEnergies CAF AFCON quarter-final clash

Credit: Bein Sports

Nigeria will take on an unpredictable Angola side in the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals on Friday as they bid to reach the last four for the first time since 2019, Cafonline reports.

The clash at the Felix Houphouët-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan is the opening fixture of the AFCON last eight.

The Super Eagles dispatched arch rivals Cameroon 2-0 at the same venue in the round of 16 to reach the quarter-finals.

As three-time AFCON winners, Nigeria are expected to have too much quality and experience for their opponents on paper.

Victor Osimhen, recently crowned African Player of the Year, leads a Super Eagles attack along with the in-form Ademola Lookman. They also boast the meanest defense, having conceded just once.

However, Angola will be full of confidence after surprisingly topping Group D unbeaten. This is their first quarter-final since hosting the 2010 tournament.

Led by star striker Gelson Dala, who netted twice against Namibia, Angola have one of the most potent attacks at AFCON 2023 with nine goals in four games.

Dala has warned Nigeria: “We will fight and make life hard for them. With our fans, we believe we can win.”

Angola coach Pedro Gonçalves added: “We respect Nigeria but fear nobody. The pressure is on them as favorites.”

Nigeria boss Jose Peseiro expects a tough test: “Angola is unpredictable with some dangerous players. We cannot underestimate them.”

This AFCON has been full of surprises, and another could be in store on Friday if revitalized Angola can defy the odds and giants Nigeria.

The kick-off for Nigeria vs. Angola is scheduled for 17:00 GMT.

What they said

Jose Peseiro, Nigeria’s Coach: “It’s a quarter-final match. Both teams want to reach the semi-finals. It will be a tough match; we will bring commitment and sacrifice to overcome this great team to reach the semi-final, even if it’s not a big name.” “Angola is not a big name in Africa, but they play very well. They are not here by luck; they have shown a lot of capability to reach the quarter-finals. Our team has scored 5 goals in 4 matches so far. We will attack with 11 and defend with 11 as well.”

Alex Iwobi, Nigeria’s Midfielder: “We watched the videos. It will be a tough match. They won the last match with a large score, and we defended well. We will give everything on the field to reach the semi-finals.” “We have to respect Angola a lot. They are a great team if they are at this stage of the competition. We need the entire team to defend. It won’t be easy because it’s a team that scores a lot. I rely on my teammates to meet the challenge.”

Pedro Gonçalves, Angola’s Coach: “This match means a lot for our team and the entire Angolan nation, which has dreamed for years of seeing the team at this competition stage. We will face Nigeria, a great nation in African football… This match is an opportunity to show our worth; we have worked and given our all to reach this level of competition. I congratulate my team, which has always been dedicated. The match is an opportunity to show that we have evolved.” “We respect Nigeria for what they have demonstrated in African football. Nigeria has a very strong team with players who play in major European leagues, such as the Premier League and Serie A… They use the best playing system to compete in this Africa Cup of Nations.”

Manuel Cafumana, Angola’s Player: “Tomorrow, we will have a match that will allow us to prove ourselves. I am proud of what we have accomplished since the beginning, especially the pride we represent for our country… We will fight against Nigeria as we did in the first four matches. We will play as usual.”