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By Abiodun Adewale
Angola coach Pedro Goncalves is already setting his sights on reaching the final of the ongoing 2023 AFCON in Ivory Coast ahead of the quarter-final clash against Nigeria at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium on Friday, PUNCH Sports Extra.
Angola overcame Namibia 3-0 in a drama-filled round of 16 match last Saturday as they cruised into the quarter-finals with their biggest victory in the tournament.
Dala Gelson scored a first-half brace and Agostinho Mabululu put the icing on the cake after the hour mark to send Angola into the last eight for the first time in 14 years.
By setting up the last 8 clash against Nigeria, Angola have already matched their best outing at the AFCON having reached the same stage in 2008 and 2010 on home soil.
Angola’s run at the 2023 tournament has been close to impeccable, finishing top of their group with seven points after beating Mauritania and Burkina Faso as well as a draw against Algeria.
After getting past Namibia, Goncalves is looking to cause upsets to achieve his dream.
“Whoever reaches the quarter-finals has to aim to go as far as possible, and the furthest possible is to reach the final and propose themselves as a candidate for victory,” he stated.
Friday’s game between Nigeria and Angola will make it the 11th time that both sides have clashed since their first meeting in 1981.
There is nothing much to separate both sides since their first meeting 43 years ago, with Nigeria winning thrice, while the Angolans have been victorious twice, plus five encounters that ended in stalemates.