Pedro Gonçalves, coach of Palancas Negras of Angola, says his side has identified major weakness in Nigeria’s team ahead of the quarter-final match against the Super Eagles on Friday.
Abujapress reports that the Super Eagles take on the Black Sable Antelopes of Angola in a blockbuster quarter-final clash in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote d’Ivoire.
Gonçalves told newsmen during a pre-match conference on Thursday that the match was an opportunity for his team to face a great team like Nigeria.
“This match means a lot for our team and for the entire Angolan nation, which has dreamed for years of seeing the team at this stage of the competition.
“We will face Nigeria, a great nation in African football…
“This match is an opportunity to show our worth; we have worked and given our all to reach this level of the competition.
“I congratulate my team, which has always been dedicated.
“The match is an opportunity to show that we have evolved,” he said.
He however admitted that his team were coming into the game as underdogs against a well organised Super Eagles team who were the clear favourites.
“We respect Nigeria for what they have demonstrated so far in African football.
“Currently, Nigeria has a very strong team with players who play in major European leagues, such as the Premier League and Serie A…
“They use the best playing system to compete in this Africa Cup of Nations,” he said.
The Angolan gaffer said they had a set of objectives which had got them to where they are thus far, adding that the team remained resolute and dedicated towards achieving them.
“We have set some targets for ourselves and one of them is to be immortal and to be immortal is to get to the final.
“We are ready to face the Nigerian team and have done all we need to do during our training sessions and have studied our opponents very well and hope to exploit some of their weaknesses which we have identified,” he said.
Manuel Cafumana, Angola’s midfielder stressed that he and his teammates were out to prove themselves, adding that they would fight and make life hard for the Super Eagles.
“Tomorrow, we will have a match that will allow us to prove ourselves.
“I am proud of what we have accomplished since the beginning and especially the pride that we currently represent for our country…
“We will fight against Nigeria as we did in the first four matches. We will play as usual and with our fans, we believe we can win.”
Abujapress reports that the quarter-final match between Nigeria and Angola is scheduled for 5 p.m. (6 p.m. Nigerian time) at Stade Felix Houphouët-Boigny in Abidjan.
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