Angola vs Namibia prediction: AFRICA: Africa Cup of Nations – Play Offs betting tips on match 2024-01-26 17:00.
As one of just six teams to amass at least seven points in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) group stage, it’s been so far so good for Angola. Their group stage campaign concluded with a 2-0 win over Burkina Faso, and after an impatient wait to find out their last-16 opponent due to the fact they’re facing one of the four best third-placed finishers, Namibia await them here.
Drawing a third-placed finisher may suggest Angola have been given a more preferential tie, but they’re actually ranked lower by FIFA (#117) than their opponents here (#115). That’s one psychological obstacle to overcome, but having never lost a H2H against Namibia (W6, D6), they’d like to think they have what it takes to advance to the quarter-finals for the first time since they hosted AFCON in 2010.
Those neutrals watching the AFCON for entertainment value would’ve been disheartened by Group E’s final matchday, as both games ended in a 0-0 draw. Namibia didn’t mind though as it was enough to see them creep into the knockouts and enter unchartered territory, as never before have they partaken in a post-group stage AFCON fixture.
Irrespective of the outcome here, the Brave Warriors have done their nation proud, considering that prior to this tournament they’d never as much as won an AFCON fixture, but having beaten Africa’s third-highest ranked nation already this tournament in Tunisia, they have an eye for an upset. They’re rank outsiders again here, yet with two clean sheets from their three group games, they could prove a tough nut to crack for Angola.
Key battle: Not one to ever be outdone, Angola’s Mabululu has seen four of his last six international goals serve as the second of the game. Hoping to keep him quiet, Namibia goalkeeper Lloyd Kazapua has amassed an impressive four shutouts from his last six international appearances.
Hot streak: All three of Angola’s games so far in this tournament saw at least one goal either side of half-time.