AFCON 2023: Nwabali faces late fitness test ahead Angola clash

By Olayinka Owolewa

The Coach of the Super Eagles, Jose Peseiro, has said he will take a decision later today on whether to use goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) quarter-final match against Palancas Negras of Angola on Friday, Feb. 2 or use another goalkeeper.

Peseiro told journalists on Thursday in Abidjan at a news conference that he would take the decision after subjecting Nwabali to a fitness test.

He said that if the goalkeeper fails to make it, he will play Francis Uzoho instead.

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

He, however, explained that the only match they will be into with a 50/50 chance is the quarter-final clash with the Palancas Negras of Angola.

Peseiro said that his team was ready with the task ahead to go beyond the quarter-finals of the competition.

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

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

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.

Angola are one of the most high-scoring teams in the 2023 AFCON with nine goals.

The Palancas 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 to set up a clash with Nigeria.

(NAN)