Angola coach Goncalves urges players to relish Nigeria clash at Cup of Nations

Angola boss Pedro Gonçalves called on his players and staff on Thursday to embrace the opportunity of a career when they take on Nigeria for a place in the semi-finals at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

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Angola coach Pedro Gonçalves will become the first coach to steer a team into the semi-finals at the Africa Cup of Nations if his side beats Nigeria. © Pierre René-Worms/RFI

Angola have never appeared in the last four in the 66-year history of the competition while a side from Nigeria has reached the semis in seven of their nine apperances since 2000.

"Nigeria are one of African football's most powerful teams," said Gonçalves on the eve of the clash at the Stade Félix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan.

"They have players who play in the big nations of football. They really are a power team.

"But for all that, we have pride, responsibility and motivation for the match. It's the opportunity of a career because we have shown we have the skills to compete."

Angola claimed Group D to advance to the last-16 where they overpowered Namibia 3-0 despite playing for 75 minutes with 10 men following the dismissal of goalkeeper Neblu for a professional foul.

Chance

"All the players have got this far," added Gonçalves. "We are not afraid. We are proud and during the game we will look at creating opportunities for ourselves."

On paper, the Angolans go into the tie as underdogs. But the Nigeria boss José Peseiro refused to attach the tag of favourites to his team.

"Either team can win," said Peseiro. "It's 50-50. You start at 0-0 and you go from there. It will be a tough match and we need to play with commitment and sacrifice.

"Angola don't have lots of big names but they are a good team."

Progress

Peseiro's squad advanced to the knockout stages from Group A following a 1-1 draw with Equatorial Guinea and respective 1-0 wins over Cote d'Ivoire and Guinea Bissau.

The lack of goals from a front line containing the internationally prized striker Victor Osimhen led to a barrage of criticism from pundits and commentators back home that Peseiro was failing to exploit the gifts at his disposal.

The 2-0 victory over Cameroon in the last-16 helped reduce the flak.

"People speak bad and people speak well," said the Portuguese. "I'm 63 years old and maybe 20 years ago, all the complaints would have affected me.

"But I've learned that you need to keep balance whether they're saying nice or bad things about you. I try to do my best every day."

The winner of the game will face either Cape Verde or South Africa in Bouaké on 7 February.

Nigeria midfielder Alex Iwobi says he and his teammates are trying to remain calm in their quest to win the Cup of Nations trophy for the first time since 2013. © Pierre René-Worms/RFI

"We've got two players who were in the side that claimed the trophy in 2013," said Nigeria midfielder Alex Iwobi. 

"They said that back then they didn't listen to the outside noise. It's true that many of the so-called big teams are out but we must remain focused.

"We're ready to fight for each other and we're going to give 100 percent to win the trophy."