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Angola is gearing up for a significant match against Namibia in the round of 16 at Stade de la Paix, aiming to replicate their best-ever performance at the Africa Cup of Nations.
AFCON 2023 has been historic for Namibia, marking their first journey into the knockout rounds, a remarkable achievement for the Brave Warriors. Facing a team with limited recent success at this stage gives them reason to be optimistic.
Initially expected to compete for the second spot with Burkina Faso in Group D, Angola defied predictions by topping the group with seven points. This feat allows Pedro Goncalves’s team to play their fourth game in the continental showpiece, a notable progression since 2010 when they hosted but failed to advance in subsequent years.
Claiming two victories in the group stage has set a new record for Angola, showcasing their improved performance compared to previous editions. With six goals in the tournament so far, their scoring prowess is a significant asset as they aim to overcome Namibia for a chance to face either Nigeria or Cameroon in the quarter-finals.
Namibia, led by Collin Benjamin, is expected to provide a tough challenge, despite lacking experience at this stage of the Cup of Nations. Their historic victory over 2004 champions Tunisia in the tournament opener was a significant achievement, securing their place in the round of 16 as one of the best third-placed teams.
Namibia’s Deon Hotto’s 88th-minute winner against Tunisia marked their first-ever win at the finals, offering a positive foundation despite a 4-0 loss to South Africa. A clean sheet in the final group game against Mali earned them a commendable point, setting the stage for a clash against Group C winners Angola. The relative inexperience of the Palancas Negras at this stage levels the playing field in Bouake.
Angola’s recent AFCON form shows consistency with DWW, while their overall form in all competitions is reflected in DDWDWW. On the other hand, Namibia’s AFCON form indicates a mix of results with WLD, and their overall form stands at LWDWLD.
Regardless of the outcome, Namibia emerges as the standout team from an uninspiring group, eager to progress to the tournament’s last eight despite their challenges in scoring goals.
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