Angola coach Pedro Goncalves has offered a warning to the Super Eagles ahead of their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final clash in Abidjan on Friday, stating his side fear no one.
The Black Antelopes have been a dark horse in the Ivory Coast, finishing top of Group D ahead of Burkina Faso, Mauritania and Algeria.
They went on to defeat Namibia 3-0 in the round of 16 and will fancy their chances against the Super Eagles who are tipped as favourites to win the tournament after heavyweights such as Senegal, Egypt, Cameroon and Egypt have all exited the competition.
“We respect Nigeria but fear nobody. The pressure is on them as favourites,” Goncalves said.
Echoing Goncalves was their top scorer in the competition Gelson Dala who said: “We will fight and make life hard for them. With our fans, we believe we can win.”
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Goncalves however did not stop short of giving Nigeria respect, citing how important it would be for the Lusophone nation to get the better of the three-time AFCON champions and reach the semi-finals for the very first time.
“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,” he continued.
“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.
“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.”
Friday’s other quarter-final fixture will see DR Congo go up against Guinea.
