Angola is the first to qualify for the quarter-finals of CAN 2024, after its clear victory over Namibia on Saturday in Bouaké (3-0). The match changed in four minutes, when the Black Antelopes got the better of the Brave Warriors thanks to a double from Gelson Dala, and the two teams played with ten players for a good part of the match.
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5 mins
Serious things begin at CAN 2024 with the start of the round of 16, Saturday January 27, and the match between Angola and Namibia at the Stade de la Paix, in Bouaké. The Black Antelopes won their ticket to the quarter-finals against the Brave Warriors (3-0) thanks to a double from Gelson Dala and a goal from Mabululu.
In front of the sparse stands of the Stade de la Paix in Bouaké, Angola plays in 4-3-3 and Namibia is arranged in 4-4-2. Gelson Dala who lights the first fuse on a dangerous overflow… but the Namibian defense keeps watch (2nd). During the first minutes, both teams are on their feet and show constant commitment in the duels.
The Brave Warriors attempt incursions into the opposing camp, but Neblu does not let himself be surprised, as with this deep shot from Shalulile, ultimately too close to beat the Angolan goalkeeper, who seizes the ball (12th). The Black Antelopes then obtain an interesting free kick after a handball from Haukongo. Fredy strikes, but the Namibian defense manages to repel the danger (15th).
The first turning point of the match comes shortly after: Muzeu recovers a ball from Gaspar’s feet and presents himself alone against Neblu. He tries to lob it but the Angolan goalkeeper deflects the ball from his hands… out of his area (17th). Red card, the Black Antelopes will now have to play with ten players for the rest of the match.
Hotto is responsible for hitting the free kick straight away, but the Angolan goalkeeper who has just entered, Signori, relaxes well to push back the ball which was flying close to the post (21st).
Gelson Dala turns the match around in 4 minutes!
Despite the expulsion, the Angolans do not admit defeat and take full advantage when they have an opportunity, like this Mabululu strike served by Gelson Dala in the Namibian area (27th). But the leather is finally deflected for a corner.
The Brave Warriors, in numerical superiority, are now showing patience and building interesting movements, without this materializing once inside the opposing 25 meters. And finally… it’s the Angolans who open the score! Gilberto finds Fredy with a bright pass in the Namibian area, and the Angolan captain serves to the second post Gelson Dala, who only has to push the ball with the flat of his foot (1-0, 38th).
In the process, Haukongo commits a new foul, logically punished with a yellow card… It is the second for the Namibian defender, and the Brave Warriors are in turn reduced to ten (40th). On Fredy’s free kick that followed, Gelson Dala doubled the lead with a powerful, unstoppable header at the far post (2-0, 42nd). Angola turned the match around in four minutes. Namibia lost very big. The 20 actors return to the locker room with this score.
Mabululu drives the point home
At the start of the second act, the Braves Warriors tried to get back into the match like Shalulile, but his unbalanced shot narrowly went over Kazapua’s crossbar (48th). But apart from this occasion, Angola does not let Namibia hope for a new turnaround. At the hour mark, the scoreboard still tilted in favor of the Black Antelopes.
The second period is a tone below the first act in terms of rhythm… but the Black Antelopes take full advantage of each situation. Carneiro finds Mabululu in the Namibian area, and the Angolan striker fires a half-volley which grazes the opposing post (64th). Shortly after, it is again Mabululu who is served in the depths. Off-center, he fires a curling shot from the right, the ball is out of reach of Signori (3-0, 66th).
In the process, Shalulile was found in the Angolan area, but his header brushed against Signori’s post (68th). Then, from an Angola corner, Buatu Mananga headed the ball and Kazapua had to work on his line to prevent the score from increasing further (72nd).
At the end of the match, Namibia no longer seemed to believe it, while Angola was content to manage its three-goal lead. Luvumbo, new arrival, wants to go for his goal but his curled shot narrowly escapes the Namibian target (85th). Then, Hanamub tries to save honor with a powerful strike but he finds Signori’s gloves on his way (87th).
Luvumbo, again, fires a shot which crashes onto the Namibian crossbar in added time (90th+2). It was very close for the match to turn into a correction. Valorous and playful, Namibia can only bow to the decidedly stronger Black Antelopes today.
