Nigeria vs Angola Preview and Prediction
Nigeria vs Angola Match Preview
AFCON favorites Nigeria will face high-flying Angola in the first quarter-final on Friday, February 2. Both teams won their round of 16 games comfortably, setting up a mouth-watering encounter.
Nigeria enter this contest on the back of a great run of form overall, with just one defeat in their last 10 games. Apart from that they have secured five wins and four draws, scoring 18 goals in the process. This time at the AFCON, despite being relatively quiet in front of goal, Nigeria have been rock solid at the back. They have conceded just one goal across four games and have one of the best defences at the tournament. However, they will come up against a free-scoring side in their next game.
Angola qualified for the knockouts as winners of Group D in which Algeria were a shock elimination, finishing bottom. They too have lost just once across their last 10 games, but six of them have been draws, with just their last three games being wins. This will not bother Angola as they have scored nine goals so far at the AFCON and pose a threat to any team. They brushed Namibia aside with a 3-0 win in the last round and will look to get the job done in the next game as well.
With that said, let’s take a look at the team news for both sides.
Team News & Probable Lineups
Nigeria
The Super Eagles enter this contest with a clean slate in terms of suspensions. However, starting goalkeeper Stanley Nwabili suffered a late injury in their 2-0 win over Cameroon in the round of 16 and was subbed off after 80 minutes. He could be a doubt for the next one.
Manager Jose Peseiro is likely to stick with the same combination in outfield, though, with most players performing at a high level.
Probable XI: Francis Uzoho (GK), Semi Ajayi, William Troost-Ekong (C), Calvin Bassey, Ola Aina, Frank Onyeka, Alex Iwobi, Zaidu Sanusi, Moses Simon, Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen.
Angola
The visitors too have no injury concerns heading into the quarter-finals with all of their core squad fit and raring to go. However, they will be without starting goalkeeper Neblu, who was sent off in their last game. Antonio Signori will start in his place in the next game.
Manager Pedro Goncalves will stick with the same combination as well as Angola look to push further in the competition.
Probable XI: Antonio Signori (GK), Eddie Afonso, Kialonda Gaspar, Jonathan Buatu-Mananga, To Carneiro, Fredy (C), Show, Estrela, Gilberto, Mabululu, Gelson Dala.
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Head-to-Head and Prediction
Last 5 Games H2H (All Comps)
- Nigeria 2-1 Angola (01/18)
- Nigeria 1-1 Angola (06/05)
- Angola 1-0 Nigeria (06/04)
- Nigeria 2-2 Angola (06/03)
- Angola 0-0 Nigeria (09/02)
As you can see, meetings between the two nations have been sparse over the last couple of decades. Both sides have won one game apiece on their respective home turfs, with three draws shared.
It is noteworthy that all of their meetings have been closely contested encounters, with the next one promising to be a similar game. Considering it is a knockout match, both teams will look to sit tight in defence and look for the right moments to attack.
However, Nigeria seem to have the better defence at the tournament. They also have attackers who can turn games around with their individual brilliance and so they should edge this one.
Prediction: Nigeria 2-1 Angola.
Betting Tips
- Both Teams to Score: Yes.
- Over 2.5 Goals: Yes.
- Ademola Lookman: Anytime Goalscorer.
Odds
- Nigeria Win: 1.65
- Draw: 3.10
- Angola Win: 5.50
Top Players to Watch
Nigeria
Atalanta winger Ademola Lookman was the star man in Nigeria’s 2-0 win over Cameroon in the round of 16, scoring both goals. That added to the goal he scored against Equatorial Guinea in his team’s opening game of the AFCON.
The pacey winger is a menace running behind defences and will be licking his lips at doing so on an international stage. On the club level, Lookman has scored seven goals and provided three assists for Atalanta in 23 games so far this season. He will be expected to carry his form forward for the remainder of Nigeria’s AFCON campaign.
Angola
Forward Gelson Dala has carried the creative burden for Angola at the AFCON, scoring four goals and providing one assist so far. He was involved in all three goals in their last game, scoring a brace and assisting a goal for strike partner Mabululu.
The 27-year-old has had a decent season so far in the Qatar Stars League for Al-Wakrah. He has scored five goals and provided two assists in 12 games for his club. However, performing at the top level for his country will what Dala will hope for in the next game.
Nigeria vs Angola Timings & Telecast
- Date & Time: Friday, February 2nd 10:30 PM (IST).
- India: FanCode app & website.
- UK: Sky Sports.
- US: BeIN Sports.
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