African Cup of Nations (AFCON 2023).

The football world and followers have been glued to their Television as well as radio set s to watch and listen to football commentries as tAfrica s best gather in Ivory Coast in the bi-annal soccer fiesta, being hosted by Ivory Coast, over the last two weeks , , dubbed AFCON 2023, but originally was meant to be played in 2021, but due to the Covid-19 pandemic that re-wrote many calenders world , not just in football but world wide .

With the 24 team format made up of Ivory Coast , Egypt , Nigeria , Morocco, Algeira ,the Teranga Lions Senegal , (defending champions), Cameroun, Ghana, Mali , Guinea Cape Verde, Equatorial Guinea , South Afirca Nambia , etc struggles for supremacy in the tournament .

Brief history of AFCON .

The first AFCON competition was hosted in Sudan in 1957 with three teams , Egypt , Ethiopia and Sudan and the Pharaohs won in the finals when they beat Ethiopia 4-0.

Nigeria s Chances In the Quarter Finals Against Angola , Friday . February 2,
We can say, so far , so good with the Super Eagles of Nigeria , though they have been marked as favorites , football being no mathematics , can always turn the tables .
Nigeira easily dismissed the Indomitable Lions of Cameroun in the round of 16 games , via two goals from former Everton striker and presently Atlanta of Italy hit man , in the Serie *A*, Ademola Lukman , to book a place in the Quarter Finals .

The match kicks off at the Felix Houphouet Boigny stadium in Cote D Ivoire ,

Teams News for Nigeria and Angola

Nigeria still maintaining their back three defensive formation , which have paid off in their previous matches in this tournament ., luckily Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali who picked up injury in their match against Cameroun have been training ahead of today’s encounter , while Captain Troost Ekong still renain a doubt for today s match .

Ademola Lukman who scored a BRACE against the Lions of Cameroun will maintain his position , as well as Victor Osiminehn and Samuel Chukwueze respectively , other things being equal

For Angola , AKA Palancres Negres , they will be without their first choice goalkeeper, Nebiu who was shown a red card in their last game, this gives Signori Antonio their second choice gaol tender to show case what he has in stock for Angola , a massive opportunity for hike as the tournament for him to do that but likely with the wrong opponents this time in the tournament , Giant Killers , Nigeira , the Super Eagles . It may not be a good time for him to do that as he is likely to invite the wrath of Victor Osiminehn , midfield maestro Samuel Chukwueze as well as eagle eyed , Atlanta of Italy star striker Ademola Lukman whose brace against the Lions of Cameroun reduced the Lions to a mere village team in far away Cote Ivoire .

Head To Head Statistics .

The two side have met 10 times and Nigeira had the upper hand of 3 wins and 5 draws while Angola had 2 wins , but the head to head statistics may not be enough yardstick for today s encounter , as injury list , each teams preparedness as well as players on suspension may come to play , as their absence definitely will favour or dsifavour either side .

Nigeria vs Angola Predictions .

The predictions might be slightly difficult , though Nigeira has a star studded team but we should not over look the Palancre Negres whose resilient and doggedness , their pukka play , precise passes , may undo the Eagles as well as humble and rubbish the efforts of time tested bookies in football predictions .

All the same a winner must emerge in today’s Quarter Finals either within the regulation time or extra time as well as via penalties , Sudden Death .

Though Nigeria may have a better team on paper that we I’ll not hesitate to give them a straight win with little or no effort , but in tournaments like this , football seems to be saddled with unprecedented and heart breaking uncertainties . If the Super Eagles tactical formation and game plan works out as planned today , they are likely to put to bed the match before the regulation time to avoid the energy sapping extra time and suden death penalties that normally goes with the lucky team and not the best team this time .

Multiple Predictions for this match .
Nigeria vs Angola ( W1 or 1X , first half Correct Score – 1-1 , Second half Correct Score – 2-1

Full time Correct Score 3-1 or Full time Correct Score 2-2.

Happy Viewing and Happy Weekend .

@UcheFreerips .(2024 C ).

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