Saturday, November 16

AFCON 2023: Nwabali faces late fitness test ahead Angola clash

The Coach of the Super Eagles of Nigeria, Jose Peseiro, has confirmed that goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali will take a fitness test ahead of 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) quarter final match against Palacas Negras of Angola on Friday, Feb. 2.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Peseiro told journalists on Thursday in Abidjan in the quarter final’s news conference that a decision would be taken later on Thursday, to determine whether Francis Uzoho would play in the place of Nwabali.

The Portuguese tactician said he had confidence in playing any of the goalkeepers in camp because he trust all of them.

He however, said that the only match the team would face a 50/50 chance was the quarter final clash with the Palacas Negras of Angola.

The Super Eagles coach told journalists that his team was ready with the task ahead in order to go beyond the quarter finals of the competition.

“It is going to be a tough match, our team will be playing with the maximum concentration, good determination and organisation.

“We are playing a good team, not big name” Peseiro said.

NAN recalls that the Super Eagles played out a 1-1 draw in its first game against Equatorial Guinea, dispatched host, Elephants of Cote D’Ivoire, 2-0 in the second game and a 1-0 win over Guinea Bissau in the last group B match.

The three time African champions, defeated the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon 2-0 in the round of 16 to set a date with the Palacas Negras of Angola in the quarter final.

For Angola, they are one of the most scoring teams in the 2023 AFCON with nine goals.

The Palacas Negras secured a 1-1 draw in their first group match with Algeria, with victories in the 2nd and 3rd matches, a 3-2 win over Mauritania and 2-0 victory against Burkina Faso.

They thrashed Namibia 3-0 in the round of 16 for the clash with Nigeria.

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