At last, the games of Afcon2023 have hit the quarter final stage. According to the schedule released by CAF, on Friday February 2 the first game will see the Super Eagles of Nigeria battling it out with the Palancas Negras of Angola at Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny in Abidjan by 6pm.
It’ll be followed by the Leopards of DR Congo going for the jugular of the Sylli Stars of Guinea at Stade Alassane Ouattara, also in Abidjan by 9pm.
In turn, Saturday February 3 will start with the Eagles of Mali sizing up the Elephants of Cote D’ivoire at Stade de La Paix in Bouake by 6pm.
Next the giant-killing Blue Sharks of Cape Verde will face Bafana Bafana of South Africa at Stade Charles Konan Barry in Yamoussoukro by 9pm.
With the exit of the two highest ranked teams in the continent Atlas Lions of Morocco -13th – and the Teranga Lions of Senegal – 20th – the gap is indeed open for every serious contender to fill.
Incidentally, the latter are also the defending champions of the tournament. A situation that has many pundits now rooting for their conquerors and hosts the Elephants of Cote D’ivoire. Literally asking them to complete the assignment they initiated. And with the second wind foisted on their sails by an apparent return from the dead, the possibility is there.
Not unlike another discussant at my neighbourhood speakeasy thinks that the trophy should be handed over to the Bafana Bafana. Asked why, he affirmed that it was for the temerity they exhibited in trouncing the continent’s first ever World Cup semi finalists. Anyway, wishes and horses shall forever remain different kettles of fish.
But reality wise, the four teams that’ll be left standing after the quarter finals are over shall become instant favourites all. With their individual track record of conquests en route, there’s indeed no stopping any of them if they so strive.
But even just for the sake of patriotism, many Nigerians see the present development as a spiritual open sesame for the Super Eagles to excel. This will see them winning it for a fourth time after its achievement at home in 1980, 1994 in Tunisia and 2013 in South Africa. Most see it as the only way to make up for the 1996 edition which they boycotted for political reasons.
Nationalism apart, though, the Eagles must first pass this Angola hurdle. All the more so since overtime the Palancas Negras have often proved a bogey team to them.
Like in the qualifying games for the 2006 World Cup. When all the games had been played but the last, the Eagles were to face them here at home. Though we had lost the away game in Luanda by a lone goal, hopes were nonetheless high – as always.
After all, we had made it to the earlier World Cups. In fact, Nigerians were so hopeful that the match was even moved to Kano, the home state of the Sports Minister.Perhaps that turned our undoing. We could only pull a barren 1-1 draw and the Angolans qualified ahead of us on the head-to-head rule.
That World Cup debacle in Kano apart, it’s also on record that it was in an earlier match between both nations on the 12th of August 1989 in Lagos that Nigerian international Sam Okwaraji collapsed and died. Talk about omens.
Nevertheless, a present disambiguation of the two teams is all that’ll tilt the balance either way. Even if it be just on paper; football, like we used to say, being no mathematics.
Overall, the two teams have clashed in ten matches. Nigeria won in three while Angolan won two. The remainder ended in draws.
FIFA ranking wise, while the Eagles are ranked 42nd in the world, Angola comes up at a distant number 117. And World Cup wise, while the Angolans have only that 2006 effort to boast of, the Eagles have participated in the Mundial for a record 6 times since the first time in USA94.
Also as it stands, the Eagles have participated in 20 Afcon tournaments – ending up winners 3 times, runner-up 4 times and settling for bronze 8 times.
The Angolans, on the other hand, have participated in just 8 Afcons and have only reached the present stage only twice in 2008 and 2010.
All typed and posted, the truth remains that this present crop of Super Eagles have all it takes to lift this trophy the 4th time. After all, not unlike presently, nobody gave the 2013 team coached by the late Stephen Keshi a chance. What with our FA not paying for their accommodation further than their semifinal game with Côtedivore.
However, they must first scale this Palancas Negras hurdle. And they can!
*Uzoatu wrote in from Bridgehead Market Onitsha.
