Gelson Dala was the star of the show as he scored a brace and provided an assist in Angola’s 3-0 win over neighbours Namibia in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations Round of 16 on Saturday evening, a game that saw the two sides finish with 10 men.
The Black Antelopes finished top in Group D ahead of Burkina Faso, Mauritania and Algeria while the Brave Warriors reached the knockout phase for the very first time by finishing as one of the four best third-placed sides.
Things started badly for the Angolans when goalkeeper Neblu was shown a straight red card for handling the ball outside of the penalty area. Midfielder Estrela was the sacrificial lamb to make way for substitute goalkeeper Signori Antonio.
The numerical disadvantage did not deter Pedro Goncalves’ men as Dala, who was named in group stage best XI, opened the scoring in the 38th minute after being nicely set up by Fredy.
Namibia would go on to see their player sent off after defender Lubeni Haukongo was given a second yellow card for a clumsy challenge in the 40th minute which resulted in a freekick.
Dala made it a brace from that freekick by sending a header in the 18-yard area, taking his tally to four goals in as many games in the Ivory Coast.
Mabululu put the final nail in the coffin in the 66th minute with a curler that was set up by Dala.
Angola comfortably books the first spot in the #AFCON2023 QUARTER FINALS!!
Angola???????? 3-0 ????????Namibia#Afrosport #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 #ANGNAM pic.twitter.com/bHx1S9djLk
— AfroSport (@AfroSportTV) January 27, 2024
Angola have now made it to the AFCON quarter-finals for the third time in their history and first time since 2010 when they were hosts.
They will get to face the winner of Saturday’s other round of 16 clash between Nigeria and Cameroon.
