AFCON 2023: William Troost Ekong expects tough challenge against Angola

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Nigeria defender, William Troost Ekong believes Angola will not be a lightweight when they face off in the quarterfinal of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote d’Ivoire.

The Super Eagles and the Palancas Negras will trade tackles in the last-8 fixture at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium, Abidjan on Friday and on-field captain William Ekong feels Angola clash could be their toughest yet.

“We can no longer expect any easy games,” Ekong told thenff.com

“In truth, there have not been easy games here. We have played Equatorial Guinea, Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea Bissau, and Cameroon, and none has turned out to be a picnic.

“From the quarter-finals, it will be a lot tougher because all the teams will believe they are good enough for the trophy.

“We are discussing among ourselves what we have to do. There is no resting on our oars. We saw Guinea eliminate Equatorial Guinea that emerged as the best team in the group phase.

“Football is like that. We must be alert for the entire period and do our best to convert the chances that we create.”

The Palancas Negras eliminated Namibia’s Brave Warriors with a 3-0 spanking in the Round of 16.

Gelson Dala hit a brace against the regional rivals at the Stade de la Paix in Bouake. The Super Eagles, on the other hand, beat Cameroon 2-0 in the first knockout stage thanks to a brace from Ademola Lookman.