Angola set up a quarterfinal clash with either Nigeria or Cameroon in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations on Friday. The Nigeria/Cameroon game comes up later today.
In the southern African derby, the Palancas Negras overcame Namibia’s Brave Warriors 3-0 in the first Round of 16 fixture of the ongoing competition.
Angola have now qualified for the last eight of the continent’s flagship tournament for the third time after similar showing in Ghana 2008 and as hosts in 2010, while Namibia exited in their first time out of the group stage.
In the Round of 16 encounter at Stade de Bouaké on Saturday evening, Angola went a man down when keeper Neblu got a straight red card in the 17th minute held the ball outside the box, as the last man. Substitute stopper António Dominique stepped in, while midfielder Estrela was pulled out.
But Gelson Dala defied the odds to shoot Angola ahead in the 38th minute. Two minutes after, Lubeni Haukongo earned the second yellow card to see both sides playing 1o men each.
Angola capitalised on that parity immediately as Dala achieved a brace in the 40th minute.
Mabululu added the ice on the cake with Angola’s third goal in the 66th minute.
