Nigeria - Angola predictions and free betting tips [02/02/2024]

Tomorrow  within the quarterfinals of the African Nations Cup, the teams of Nigeria and Angola will play.

Nigeria national team

Team Nigeria, possessing one of the most star-studded line-ups at the African Nations Cup, is now considered one of the main favourites of the tournament, especially after the exit of strong teams like Senegal and Morocco. In the quarterfinals, the Nigerians confidently defeated the team of Cameroon, showing a dominant play. Goalkeepers Nwabili and Uzoho, who replaced the injured goalkeeper in the second half, did not allow a single shot on their goal. In the first half, Ademola Lookman from Atalanta opened the scoring after a mistake by Cameroon's defence and goalkeeper, and then Lookman himself set the final score at the end of the match. Victor Osimhen, Lookman, and Moses Simon gave brilliant performances in the team's attack, and Alex Iwobi's transition to the centre of the field proved to be a successful move.

In the group stage of the African Nations Cup, Nigeria ranked second in its group, scoring 7 points. However, the team's play raised questions. In the last match of the group stage, Nigeria barely won against Guinea-Bissau, scoring only thanks to an own goal in the 36th minute. Although the Nigerians scored twice more, both goals were cancelled due to offside. The team did not show the expected level of play, considering its powerful line-up.

In the first match of the tournament, the Nigerians drew 1:1 with Equatorial Guinea. Victor Osimhen's goal helped the team equalise the score after losing the first half. In the second match against Ivory Coast, Nigeria won with a score of 1:0 thanks to a penalty executed by William Troost-Ekong, but again did not show confident play, lagging in ball possession and the number of moments.

Angola national team

Team Angola demonstrates convincing play at the African Nations Cup. In the 1/8 finals, they sensationally ripped Namibia apart with a score of 3:0. The match started with the expulsion of Namibian goalkeeper Neblu for a hand game at the 17th minute. Gelson Dala opened the score at the 37th minute after a pass from Fredi on the counterattack, and the second goal he scored already with equal line-ups on a penalty after a pass from Fredi. In the second half, Mabululu set the final score with a pass from Gelson Dala, showing excellent play on counterattacks. The best player of the match, Gelson Dala, made two goals and an assist in this match.

In the group stage, Angola unexpectedly, yet confidently, topped their group, leaving behind such a strong team as Algeria. In the last match of the group stage on 23rd January 2024, the Angolans beat Burkina Faso with a score of 2:0, showing excellent play on counterattacks and scoring goals in the 39th and 90th minutes thanks to Mabululu and Zini. In the second round, they won against Mauritania with a score of 3:2, scoring three goals in 20 minutes of play, where Gelson Dala from Al-Wahda made a double, and Gilberto scored the winning goal. In the first match, Angola drew with Algeria thanks to a precise penalty shot by Mabululu.

The team led by Pedro Gonçalves faced some personnel issues but, despite this, showed a high class, defeating strong opponents, despite the absence of two key players of the past years - forward Mabululu from the Saudi Arabian championship, and attacking player Nzola and defender Clinton Mata due to conflicts with the federation. But Mabululu and Gelson Dala from the Saudi Arabian championship have done brilliantly.

Head to Head

In the history of meetings between the teams of Nigeria and Angola, there have been several memorable matches. In 2018 at the African Nations Championship, Nigeria managed to defeat Angola in overtime with a score of 2:1. In 2012, in a friendly match, the teams played a draw without any goals. In the qualifying matches of the World Championship in 2005, the teams also failed to identify the winner, playing a 1:1 draw. Finally, in 2004, in another qualifier for the WC, Angola managed to overcome Nigeria with a score of 1:0.

Forecast for the Nigeria - Angola match

Certainly, Nigeria is the favourite in the upcoming quarterfinal match, but the Nigerians showed themselves quite unstable in the group stage of the African Nations Cup. As for Angola, they surprised everyone and continue to score more than anyone else - 10 goals in the tournament. Angola is capable of putting up a fight and dethroning the favourite again. I'm betting on a positive handicap for the Angolans.