Gonçalves believes Nigeria now have a good chance of lifting cup since the five top ranked African sides are out of AFCON
Angola coach, Pedro Gonçalves has said three time Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) winners, Nigeria and hosts, Cote d’Ivoire are the two favourite teams to win the 2023 edition of the tournament.
The Palancas Negras boss made this known ahead of Angola’s AFCON quarter-final clash with Nigeria at the Stade Félix Houphouët Boigny in Abidjan on Friday.
Speaking on Al-Hayat channel, via Filgoal, Gonçalves said: “We have a difficult task ahead of us against Nigeria in the African Nations quarter-finals.
“Peseiro is a great coach and his results with them are good.”
He went on to say since the five top ranked African sides are out of the competition, the two West African countries now have a good chance of lifting the cup.
“Egypt, Morocco, Senegal, and Algeria were initially nominated to win the title, but they all bid farewell to the tournament.
“Now I believe that Côte d’Ivoire and Nigeria have the greatest chances of holding the title.” Gonçalves added.
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Meanwhile, Angola forward, Gelson Dala has warned that his team will make things difficult for Nigeria.
The striker believes they can stun the highly rated Super Eagles.
“We will fight and make life hard for them. With our fans, we believe we can win,” Dala was quoted by CAFonline.
Pedro Goncalves’ side will look to create another major upset at the ongoing AFCON when they take on the Super Eagles in the last 8 encounter.
Angola have one of the most potent attacks at AFCON 2023 with nine goals in four games and Dala is responsible for four of the goals.
However, Nigeria is rock solid at the back and have conceded a single goal at the tournament.
The highly anticipated encounter is expected to kick-off at 6pm Nigeria time.