Africa Cup of Nations last-16 set to thrill
Saturday marks the start of the Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 as we reach the business end of what has been a hugely entertaining continental finals to date.
There are eight tough ties that await and if the tournament in the Ivory Coast have shown us anything so far, it is to expect the unexpected. Here is a look at the last-16 match-ups.
ANGOLA VS NAMIBIA
Saturday (19h00 SA time) – Stade de la Paix, Bouaké
An all-Southern African tie between Group D winners Angola and Namibia, who reach the knockout rounds for the first time in their history after stunning Tunisia in the pool phase. Considering these neighbours have competed almost annually in the COSAFA Cup for the last three decades, they have met on surprisingly few occasions. Their last meeting in the regional championship was 20 years ago in 2004, and their last clash of any sort was a friendly in 2011. Namibia’s blow-out 4-0 loss to Bafana Bafana aside, they have looked solid in the competition.
NIGERIA VS CAMEROON
Saturday (22h00 SA time) – Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium, Abidjan
Nigeria coach Jose Peseiro will hope his side can finally click after three ‘so-so’ performances to date, and there is no doubt they have the talent in their squad to go all the way int eh Ivory Coast. Cameroon have also been iffy; they needed a dramatic 3-2 win over Gambia to advance in their final pool match. They will welcome back talismanic forward Vincent Aboubakar injury and hope he can be the catalyst for what would be a surprise win. Their last competitive meeting was in the round of 16 in 2019 when Nigeria came out 3-2 winners.
EQUATORIAL GUINEA VS GUINEA
Sunday (19h00 SA time) – Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan
Remarkably, these two sides have never met in international
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