AFCON 2023: Angola Handed Crucial Boosts Ahead of Quarter Final Clash Against Nigeria’s Super Eagles

• The start of the quarter-final round of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations is imminent
• Nigeria and Angola will lock horns at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan
• The Palancas Negras have been handed a crucial boost ahead of the AFCON clash

The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is poised to treat fans to another enthralling spectacle of a fixture as Nigeria’s Super Eagles face off against Angola tonight (February 2).

This eagerly awaited clash, which could prove tricky for Jose Peseiro's side, will feature perennial rivals vying for a spot in the semi-finals and potentially a shot at a showpiece medal.

However, in the lead-up to the crunch fixture, Angola coach, Pedro Goncalves, has been handed a crucial boost that could spell danger for their Nigerian counterparts.

Nigeria’s Super Eagles get AFCON boost as injured star returns ahead of Cameroon clash

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Angola receives crucial AFCON boost

According to a report from Angola Press Agency, the Palancas Negras have received a significant boost ahead of their clash with Nigeria.

The dynamic duo of Gelson Dala and Alfredo Ribeiro - fondly known as 'Fredy' - have been given the green light by the medical team to participate in the upcoming fixture.

The return of these key players, coupled with the comeback of Clermont Foot winger, Jeremie Bela, who rejoins the squad after being excused for the birth of his son, holds immense importance for the Central African nation in their quest for a historic semi-final berth at the AFCON.

Fotmob's data highlights the crucial impact of Dala and Fredy, in particular, who have been directly involved in eight of the nine goals scored by the team in the tournament so far.

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Earlier reports had indicated that Fredy's MRI results revealed only a 'trauma', while Dala has been dealing with a recurring chronic injury.

Despite this positive news, the Palancas Negras will still miss the services of their first-choice goalkeeper, Adilson Cipriano da Cruz, also known as Neblu, who received a red card in the Round of 16 clash against Namibia.

Angola coach identifies key Nigerian players

Sports Brief also previously reported on Goncalves, Angola's coach, highlighting five Super Eagles players who have been crucial to the team’s AFCON successes.

The 47-year-old also discussed the approach that Peseiro's team could employ in the clash, as Nigeria aims to defeat Palancas Negras for the first time since 1989.