AFCON 2023: Nigeria, Angola, Cote d’Ivoire, others set for quarter-final clashes

AFCON 2023: Nigeria, Angola, Cote d’Ivoire, others set for quarter-final clashes

The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Cote d’Ivoire 2023 round of 16 fixtures was concluded on Tuesday, paving the way for thrilling quarter-final clashes.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that eight teams advanced to the quarterfinal stage.

The matches played in the round of 16 were close contests, but the best teams made their way to the quarterfinals.

Angola qualified after battling to a 3-0 win over Namibia on Saturday to meet Nigeria in the quarterfinal stage.

Nigeria had defeated their counterpart, the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon, 2-0 on January 27.

The Super Eagles will then have a stern test against two-time quarterfinalists, Angola’s Palancas Negras, in the quarterfinal on Friday at the Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny in Abidjan at 6 p.m.

DR Congo secured a slim victory against a gritty Egpyt on Jan. 28, winning the game via penalty shootout 8-7 after a dramatic 1-1 draw in regular time; they are now set to battle Guinea.

Guinea ended the race for Equatorial Guinea on Sunday with a shock 1-0 win to face DR Congo in the quarterfinal stage.

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Other intriguing match-ups include Monday’s encounter, which saw a late penalty that sent Cape Verde through 1-0 against Mauritania.

Host Cote d’Ivoire got through to the quarterfinals after an intense penalty shootout (5-4) against defending champions Senegal after battling out a 1-1 draw in regular time. Cote d’Ivoire will aim for another upset against Mali.

On Tuesday, in the last round-of-16 tie, Mali bundled out opponents Burkina Faso 2-1 to book a place in the quarterfinal stage to face host Cote d’Ivoire.