In a thrilling encounter marked by red cards and rapid-fire goals, Angola secured their spot in the quarterfinals of the Africa Cup of Nations, overcoming Namibia in a dramatic clash.
This victory marks Angola’s third-ever qualification for the quarterfinals, and they did it in style, navigating through a tumultuous match that saw both teams reduced to 10 men.
The opening half set the stage for an action-packed contest, with Angola initially facing adversity as goalkeeper Neblú received a straight red card for handling outside the penalty area.
Undeterred, Angola responded with a brilliantly executed move, and Gelson Dala found the net to give his team the lead despite being a man down.
Namibia, trailing by a goal, faced an uphill battle that became even steeper when Lubeni Pombili Haukongo received a second yellow card, reducing them to 10 men as well.
Taking advantage of the situation, Angola capitalized on a free-kick opportunity, with Dala securing his brace with a powerful header.
The second half saw Angola strategically defending their lead, but they remained a threat on the counter-attack. Mabululu added the finishing touch with a stylish right-footed effort, sealing a 3-0 victory for the Black Sable Antelopes.
For Angola, this memorable night marks a return to the quarterfinals, a feat last achieved in 2010 when they hosted the tournament. Coach Gonçalves is now determined to surpass their previous performance.
Meanwhile, Namibia, in their first-ever AFCON knockout fixture, will reflect on the missed opportunity presented by the early red card to goalkeeper Neblú, as their journey in the tournament concludes with disappointment.
