Africa-Press – Angola. Angola and Namibia will host a “derby” between neighboring countries this Saturday, starting at 6 pm, at the Paz Stadium, in Bouaké, at the opening of the round of 16 of the 34th edition of the African Football Championship (CAN`2023 ), which takes place in Côte d`Ivoire.
The history of clashes between these two teams records a three-ball draw in competition number 21 of this continental event of nations, held from 7 to 28 February 1998, in Burkina Faso, with Egypt as the winner.
Before that challenge, the two teams faced each other in the qualifying phase for the 1996 CAN, held in South Africa, where Angola marked its debut in competitions of this kind.
At that time, the Palancas Negras won 2-0 at home and drew 2-2 on Namibian territory.
Currently with new actors and other skills, Angola assumes favoritism, taking into account its comparatively better trajectory than its opponent, with double quarter-finals obtained in Ghana`2008 and Angola`2010.
Namibia participated twice in the Nations Cup, in 1998 and 2008, but never progressed beyond the first round.
The strengths of each participant are also evident in the way in which each one qualified for the present phase.
Placed in group D, the “Palancas Negras” qualified for this stage in the lead with seven points, the result of a draw with Algeria (1-1) and two victories against Mauritania (3-2) and Burkina Faso (2- 0).
The “Brave Warriors”, on the other hand, drew with Mali (0-0), suffered a defeat against South Africa (0-4) and finally surprised Tunisia (1-0).
Other than that, Namibia is a team that stands by the team. Quick in the offensive process and very supportive, it has a squad without big stars, most of the athletes evolve in South Africa.
Kazapua, Amutenya, Hanamub, Katua, Petrus, Ivan Kamberipa, Haukongo, Muzeu, Tjiueza, Shalulile and Hotto stand out.
The “Brave Warriors”, led by coach Collin Benjamin, have their most vulnerable point in defense.
Angola, on the other hand, has been more variable in its performances in this CAF event, where it has the majority of athletes “military” in formations from Africa, Europe and the Middle East.
With more evolved processes compared to the opponent, the national team also opts for the collective, but generally has some fundamental stones to unbalance.
Among his references, Portuguese coach Pedro Gonçalves counts on strikers Mabululu and Gelson Dala (two goals each), as well as Fredy, Show, Zine Salvador (the latter with one goal) and goalkeeper Neblú, the latter has been preponderant between the posts.
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