Ahead of Friday’s Africa Cup of Nations’ quarter final clash between Super Eagles and the Palancas Negras of Angola, Nigerian fans are gripped with excitement mixed with anxiety.
This crunch match will be aired on StarTimes Sports Premium and Beta Sports channels at 6pm on Friday. Football fans can watch all quarter-final AFCON matches for as low as N1500 weekly on StarTimes.
In nine head-to- head meetings, Super Eagles have won three and drawn five matches with the Palancas Negras, who have surprised at this AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire with some big results while playing attractive attacking football.
Even as most fans express faith in the Super Eagles to surmount the hurdle posed by the Angolans and grab the ticket to the semi final, few others keep recalling the misadventure of 2005 in Kano when Palancas stopped Nigeria from qualifying for the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
“This Super Eagles will beat Angola and qualify for the semi final, mark my words, began Aikhoje Ojeikere, a television pundit. The sports journalist with considerable experience in coaching told THISDAY this AFCON 2023 trophy will land in Nigeria on February 11 when the final game is played.
Aikhoje’s belief in Super Eagles is the representation of the mood of Nigerians on the social media.
However, others are calling for caution, preferring instead to sit on the fence as the clock ticks towards the Friday kick off time for the all important game for Super Eagles.
Obi Chika, a football fan, spoke his mind in a pub this week.
“Many surprises spring up in this AFCON 2023. As it is, there are no big or small teams any more. If Senegal, Egypt, Morocco, and Cameroon could be eliminated halfway, while smaller teams are shining brighter, then we can’t take Angola for granted,” observed Obi Chika.
But this isn’t just another game for Nigerians. It’s a chance to exorcise the ghosts of past AFCON disappointments and reignite the nation’s football flame.
However, the more defiant Nigerian fan like Bayo Ope has fired back at pessimists, insisting that this trophy is there for Super Eagles to win after all the favorites have been sent packing from the tournament.
“We have a strong team, with experienced players like William Troost-Ekong and exciting youngsters like Victor Osimhen, Ola Aina, Samuel Chukwueze and others,” declared Lagos resident Bayo, his voice thick with anticipation. “We’ve overcome tough challenges before, and I believe we can do it again. This is our year!”
Q’FINALS FIXTURES
(Friday)
Nigeria v Angola (6pm)
DR Congo v Guinea (9pm)
(Saturday)
Mali v Côte d’Ivoire (6pm)
C’Verde v S’Africa (9pm)
