Angola and Namibia are eager to advance to the Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinals when they meet in the round of 16 on Saturday (today).
Angola finished at the top of Group D with 7 points. They recorded wins over Mauritania and Burkina Faso and a draw against Algeria.
Namibia, on the other hand, recorded their first and only win in the history of the AFCON. The victory played a vital role in their qualification to the knockout phase, as they finished 3rd in Group E.
Both coaches expressed confidence that their nations could progress to the last eight for the first time.
“It has been a historic moment for us and we have a bigger game tomorrow, perhaps the biggest game in the last 14 years of the Angolan national team,” said Angola coach Pedro Gonçalves.
He added, “Our focus is to be on the pitch and deliver and in the end beat Namibia.
“For sure, it will be very tough but I have confidence tomorrow everybody will do a great job.
“Namibia is a very powerful team, they are very brave. We need to be considerate in our passing. We have to be balance because if we lose our balance, Namibia can be dangerous for us.”
Namibian boss Collin Benjamin said his team has the quality and hunger to succeed.
“We have some good technical players with big hearts and there is the signature of the coach, there is some players who have been with the team since 2019, and there is continuity and security.
“We are a very good team, our boys are happy to be here and there is more fun. It’s the determination. it’s ambition, it’s mentality, these boys want to succeed and they understand everything about the team.
“We are aware of what to do, it is very important to have a stable defense.
“We want to be part of the best 16 teams in Africa and definitely we are among the best 16, it is a motivation in itself. I don’t remember if Namibia will go into any game with the odds favouring us, it will always go against us.
“I agree that there is no small team left in the tournament anymore. Our coaches are educated to know that players are playing at good levels, and they are hungry,” Benjamin stated.
Angola vs Namibia knockout tie match will be played 6pm (Nigerian time) at Stade de la Paix in Bouake on Saturday.
The winner of Angola vs Namibia will play against either Nigeria or Cameroon in the last 8. Nigeria will face Cameroon at Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan 9pm (Nigerian time) on Saturday.
