AFCON 2023: Angola Player Dumps Team, Returns to Europe Before Nigeria Clash

• Beni Mukendi has reportedly left Angola’s AFCON camp
• The 21-year-old was unhappy being named a substitute
• Angola face the Super Eagles of Nigeria in the quarter-final

Angola’s camp has been thrown into disarray following Ben Mukendi’s decision to abandon the team before their crucial Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final fixture against Nigeria.

The 21-year-old star has reportedly left the team’s camp in Bouake, Ivory Coast and returned to Europe after failing to make an appearance for the Black Antelopes in the competition.

According to Kickoff, lack of playing time is believed to have affected Mukendi, which was the reason behind his decision to part ways with the Angolan national team and return to his Portuguese club, Casa Pia.

It is said that the forward’s departure from the team’s camp has raised concerns concerning Angola’s strategy heading into the decisive quarter-final tie against the Super Eagles on Friday, February 2.

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Pedro Goncalves’ team has been one of the surprising teams so far at the tournament, but they will be facing their toughest test against the three-time AFCON winner Nigeria for a chance to seal a semi-final spot.

Indiscipline keeps Loide Augusto away

Meanwhile, Angola will be without another squad player as Loide Augusto has been removed from the team’s camp prior to the Nigeria game owing to indiscipline, Ver Angola reports.

Coach of the Black Antelopes, Goncalves, explained that the removal of Augusto from the team’s camp was aimed at protecting the team from any negative consequences on the field.

Angola dispatched Namibia 3-0 in the Round of 16 as they remain unbeaten in their four matches so far in the competition after topping Group D ahead of countries like Algeria, Burkina Faso, and Mauritania.

Kenneth Omeruo fires warning to Angola

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Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Super Eagles defender and vice-captain Kenneth Omeruo emphasised the significance of clinching victory in the upcoming quarter-final match against Angola.

Nigeria will be seeking its first win against the Black Antelopes in a competitive game since 1989 when both teams clash at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium, Abidjan, on Friday, February 2.

Omeruo has confidently conveyed a message about the expected outcome, adding an extra layer of intensity to the rekindled rivalry between these two teams.