AFCON 2023: Angola’s Pedro Goncalves hails Nigeria quality ahead of quarterfinal duel

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Head coach of Angola Coach Pedro Goncalves is not in doubt of the quality of players at his opponents’ disposal.As Nigeria’s senior men’s national team prepare to face Angola in the quarter-final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on Friday.

The two teams meet for the first time at the AFCON with a chance to make it to the semi-final after the Super Eagles have won the African title three times, but the Palancas Negras are yet to reach the last four.

The Southern African side will hope to make it to the semi-final for the first time in their history and Goncalves wants his team to be immortal throughout the tournament starting with the clash against the West African team.

“It is a pleasure to be facing a big team like Nigeria. We will be playing a powerful team but see this as an opportunity to show our worth,” Goncalves told journalists during a pre-match press conference on Thursday.

“Yes, first of all, we respect Nigeria for all their achievements in African football. Nigeria is such a powerful team with players in the top leagues like the Premier League and Serie A.

“I voted Osimhen as the best player in the world. Ademola Lookman is also a good player with good performance with Atalanta. We know and study our opponents. They found the best strategy for this big competition as AFCON. They begin with 4-3-3 and now 3-4-3 formation.”

With three wins out of four games so far at the tournament, the Super Eagles are becoming one of the most formidable teams in the tournament after conceding a goal so far.

“They had physical wingers to go upfront and come back. I know Aina and Zaidu because he plays in Portugal,” he continued.

“They have good midfielders with good forwards like Osimhen, and Lookman. They also have some issues where we are looking to create difficulties.

“We will see because this is a big opportunity for a career for us at this level. We are motivated. For tomorrow, all the power and thoughts will be on the pitch.”