Nigeria upset age-old rivals Cameroon in the round of 16 to improve on their performance at AFCON 2021, while Angola defeated inexperienced Namibia recording a first-ever victory in AFCON's knockout stage. Expectations were low before the Super Eagles' Cup of Nations debut a fortnight ago, but the three-time winners are beginning to dream of a fourth crown, with a 2-0 victory over Cameroon in the final round winning over doubting fans in the West African nation. Ademola Lookman netted a brace in the game, but Victor Osimhen's tenacity was just as vital, despite only scoring once at AFCON 2023 versus Equatorial Guinea. Peseiro's side has benefited from a strong backline that has seen them concede insignificant shots on goal, with the last clear-cut chance made against them coming in their 1-0 victory over Cote d'Ivoire on match day two.  

With the bracket opening up after South Africa defeated World Cup 2022 semi-finalists Morocco on Tuesday, Nigeria is expected to achieve victories over Angola and either Cape Verde or South Africa to advance to the final showdown on February 11. They cannot rest on their laurels, since this tournament demonstrates that the gap between traditional heavyweights and emerging nations is shrinking, as evidenced by the unexpected results so far. Angola stands in the way of Nigeria reaching another semi-final, and the southern African nation is unlikely to be easy opponents against the competition's currently top-ranked team. 

Pedro Goncalves' team surprised everyone by winning Group B, which included 2019 champions Algeria, with seven points. They have been unstoppable since, defeating brave Mauritania (3-2), Burkina Faso (2-0), and trumping up Namibia (3-0). The current victory extended Angola's AFCON 2023 goal-scoring streak, thanks to Gelson Dala and Mabululu, who have combined effort to score seven of Angola's nine goals in the competition. That accounted for 77.8% of Angola's goals at the continental event, and the duo's influence would undoubtedly be critical in potentially shocking the Super Eagles in Abidjan tonight. The Palancas Negras have a history of thwarting the West African nation's ambitions, with Angola denying Nigeria a spot in the 2006 World Cup. Producing a strong performance to deny Nigeria a ticket in the AFCON 2023 semi-finals would be only their second Cup of Nations knockout victory, following their first against Namibia in the round of 16 knockout stage.

(Image: Khel Now)