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Africa Cup of Nations - Round of 16
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Afcon 2023: Angola 3-0 Namibia - Gelson Dala nets twice to book quarter-final place

By Eshlin VedanBBC Sport Africa

Last updated on .From the section Footballcomments24

Gelson Dala scored twice as Angola shrugged off the early dismissal of goalkeeper Neblu to beat 10-man Namibia and reach the quarter-finals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Neblu was shown a straight red in the 17th minute for handling Bethuel Muzeu's shot outside his box, but Dala put Angola in front with a tap-in seven minutes before the break.

Namibia defender Lubeni Haukongo was soon sent off for a second bookable offence and two minutes later Dala doubled Angola's lead by powerfully heading home Fredy's free-kick.

Mabululu's neat finish following a swift counter-attack midway through the second half wrapped up victory and sent the Palancas Negras into the last eight for the first time since 2010.

Angola will face Nigeria in the next round in Abidjan on Friday (17:00 GMT) after the Super Eagles beat Cameroon 2-0.

Angola through despite Neblu's moment of madness

Angola goalkeeper Neblu bites a towel afer his red card against Namibia at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations
Neblu's red card did not cost Angola in the end, as the Palancas Negras reached the Afcon quarter-finals for the third time

Neblu had been booked for handling a through ball outside his area in Angola's group-stage win over Burkina Faso, but referee Dahane Beida had no choice but to send off the 30-year-old in Bouake.

Kialonda Gaspar's defensive mistake left Muzeu through on goal, and Neblu charged out to stop the forward's attempted chip.

Replacement keeper Antonio Dominique was called into action straight away to save Deon Hotto's free-kick but Namibia were dealt a blow of their own just minutes later as Prins Tjiueza - one of their top performers in the tournament - was forced off injured

Angola seized control of the match and captain Fredy had a hand in all three goals, teeing up the opener after latching on to a clever through ball from Gilberto and squaring for Dala to tap in.

The Brave Warriors' woes were compounded when Haukongo, booked early on for handball, got his second yellow card following a trip on Mabululu.

Fredy's pin-point delivery allowed Dala to head home for his fourth goal of the tournament, with the skipper registering his third assist at the finals.

Gelson Dala peels away in celebration after scoring for Angola against Namibia at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations
Gelson Dala (centre, wearing 10) has four goals at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and is one behind top scorer Emilio Nsue of Equatorial Guinea

Peter Shalulile had a chance to reduce the deficit early in the second half, as poor defending from Gaspar presented him with a good chance, but the Namibia captain struck his shot high and over the goal.

Fredy was in the thick of things once more as Angola made it 3-0, with his 40-yard pass finding Dala in space on the left.

The goalscorer turned provider, freeing Mabululu and allowing the striker to curl a composed finish past Namibia goalkeeper Lloyd Kazapua and in off the right-hand upright for his third goal at the finals.

Even then Angola showed no signs of sitting back on their lead.

Kazapua made a good stop to deny Angola a fourth goal in the 72nd minute as he saved Jonathan Buatu's header following a corner, and substitute Zito Luvumbo rattled the crossbar with a long-range effort in stoppage time.

Angola, having topped Group D, registered their first ever knockout win at an Afcon finals, with their previous two quarter-final appearances coming when the tournament had 16 teams.

Despite being knocked out Namibia can take plenty of positives from their campaign, which saw the Brave Warriors register a first ever finals win - a memorable 1-0 victory over Tunisia - and reach the knockout stage for the first time in their history.

Line-ups

Angola

Formation 4-3-3

  • 22Cipriano da CruzBooked at 17mins
  • 21Melo Afonso
  • 6Gaspar
  • 3Buatu Mananga
  • 13de Jesus Corte Real Carneiro
  • 16Kulembe Gomes RibeiroSubstituted forCabaça Salvadorat 70'minutes
  • 23da Silva Cafumana
  • 20Tualungo Paulo LameirasSubstituted forSignori Dominiqueat 20'minutes
  • 7VieiraSubstituted forKelianoat 70'minutes
  • 19PaciênciaSubstituted forBelaat 84'minutes
  • 10Muondo DalaSubstituted forSebastião Luvumboat 84'minutes

Substitutes

  • 1Signori Dominique
  • 4Keliano
  • 5Cunga Balanga
  • 9Cabaça Salvador
  • 11Mendes João Milson
  • 12Manuel Monteiro
  • 15Sebastião Luvumbo
  • 17Lourenço Pinto de Almeida Paz
  • 18Bela
  • 25Ferreira dos Santos

Namibia

Formation 4-2-3-1

  • 1Kazapua
  • 20Kamberipa
  • 12AmutenyaSubstituted forGebhardtat 60'minutes
  • 21HaukongoBooked at 40mins
  • 4Hanamub
  • 18Petrus
  • 6KatuaSubstituted forShitembiat 60'minutes
  • 9MuzeuSubstituted forKambatoat 70'minutes
  • 10TjiuezaSubstituted forIimbondiat 23'minutesBooked at 63mins
  • 7Hotto
  • 13Shalulile

Substitutes

  • 2Haoseb
  • 3Gebhardt
  • 5Hambira
  • 8Kambato
  • 11Iimbondi
  • 14Kamatuka
  • 15Papama
  • 16Ndisiro
  • 17Rudath
  • 19Shitembi
  • 22Nyambe
  • 23Maova
Referee:
Dahane Beida
Attendance:
28,663

Match Stats

Home TeamAngolaAway TeamNamibia
Possession
Home49%
Away51%
Shots
Home11
Away11
Shots on Target
Home4
Away3
Corners
Home6
Away3
Fouls
Home14
Away20

Live Text

  1. Post update

    Match ends, Angola 3, Namibia 0.

  2. Full Time

    Second Half ends, Angola 3, Namibia 0.

  3. Post update

    Foul by Uetuuru Kambato (Namibia).

  4. Post update

    Jérémie Bela (Angola) wins a free kick on the left wing.

  5. Post update

    Attempt blocked. Peter Shalulile (Namibia) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Aprocius Petrus with a headed pass.

  6. Post update

    Aprocius Petrus (Namibia) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

  7. Post update

    Foul by Zine (Angola).

  8. Post update

    Peter Shalulile (Namibia) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  9. Post update

    Foul by Eddie (Angola).

  10. Post update

    Zito Luvumbo (Angola) hits the bar with a left footed shot from outside the box. Assisted by Manuel Keliano.

  11. Post update

    Absalom Iimbondi (Namibia) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  12. Post update

    Foul by Zine (Angola).

  13. Post update

    Petrus Shitembi (Namibia) wins a free kick on the right wing.

  14. Post update

    Foul by Manuel Keliano (Angola).

  15. Post update

    Foul by Aprocius Petrus (Namibia).

  16. Post update

    Manuel Keliano (Angola) wins a free kick on the right wing.

  17. Post update

    Attempt missed. Riaan Hanamub (Namibia) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right from a direct free kick.

  18. Post update

    Deon Hotto (Namibia) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

  19. Post update

    Foul by Zine (Angola).

  20. Post update

    Corner, Namibia. Conceded by António Signori.

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Comments

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24 comments

  • Comment posted by ellis , at 20:27 27 Jan

    All those UK premier sofa fans moaning about last 4 games in afcon
    groups with so few goal. GO FORWARD 1 DAY and there was 4 big games all prem teams , ended 2 x 0-0 a 1-0 and a 1-1. So the afcon isn't as flat as the moaners make out.

    • Reply posted by Doors_of_perception, at 21:03 27 Jan

      Doors_of_perception replied:
      FA Cup though…. Coventry vs Sheffield Wednesday both not premier league, nor are Bristol city. If Friday night fa cup matches is the level you are competing with, you need to aim higher.

  • Comment posted by HolyLol, at 23:45 27 Jan

    The third goal by Mabululu was exquisite. Take a bow

    • Reply posted by Sammy, at 01:33 28 Jan

      Sammy replied:
      It was targeted assassination. Loved how this Angola team and Equitorial Guinea are playing

  • Comment posted by Cmcbenz, at 19:30 27 Jan

    I have this feeling that Angola will reach the semi final. If not final

    • Reply posted by Specialist_in_tailoring, at 02:24 28 Jan

      Specialist_in_tailoring replied:
      Very good side - Big test for Nigeria definitely

  • Comment posted by david, at 19:50 27 Jan

    Need Nyambe back at DCFC now - not the way you wanted to go out as unused sub

  • Comment posted by BRYAN666, at 20:21 27 Jan

    Good mems of Angola at the 2006 World Cup. Nice to see them writing new history!

  • Comment posted by RobinP14, at 08:53 28 Jan

    Well done Angola, again. Keep going.

  • Comment posted by Sheiling, at 21:26 27 Jan

    One team had World Cup experience and it showed. Angola's football pedigree is much better than Namibia's obviously. The right side through as Cameroon/Nigeria would have definitely preferred not to play Angola so should set up a quality quarter final.

    • Reply posted by Doyoun, at 21:41 27 Jan

      Doyoun replied:
      None of them have played at a World Cup.

  • Comment posted by Mogaji Olomitutu-Olowe, at 19:09 27 Jan

    A well balance match going by the stats.

  • Comment posted by Bonamai, at 20:05 27 Jan

    The second Haukango booking looked a bit harsh - minimal contact and the Angolan player appeared to trip himself … is VAR in operation?

  • Comment posted by jorgek55, at 23:04 27 Jan

    I'm extremely happy for the Angola national football team , well done Palancas Negras

  • Comment posted by Alex del Piero, at 13:43 28 Jan

    The audio on every one of these matches has been appalling & the commentators like excitable children who've had too many E numbers.

  • Comment posted by Futbolmad, at 19:22 27 Jan

    I doubt any previous AFCON games had 2 red cards, one for each team as in the game between the two neighbors.

  • Comment posted by You Go Chavez, at 20:03 27 Jan

    Angola were showing off towards the end

    There were chances for both sides that of they had gone in would have been wonder goals.

    There was a classy finish from Angola.

    Namibia did well but it was not to be

  • Comment posted by Johnathon Erskine Brown, at 22:02 27 Jan

    Two hours, 11 comments, meanwhile Xavi leaving Barca 137 comments in 11 minutes! The BBC needs to stop pandering to the 'politically correct brigade' and start delivering what its paying public clearly want!

    • Reply posted by chillbobo, at 23:25 27 Jan

      chillbobo replied:
      What the hell is wrong with you. Creating a fuss for no good reason.

As It Stood

A

TeamPWDLFAGDPts
1Equatorial Guinea32109367
2Nigeria32103127
3Ivory Coast310225-33
4Guinea-Bissau300327-50

B

TeamPWDLFAGDPts
1Cape Verde32107347
2Egypt30306603
3Ghana302156-12
4Mozambique302147-32

C

TeamPWDLFAGDPts
1Senegal33008179
2Cameroon311156-14
3Guinea311123-14
4Gambia300327-50

D

TeamPWDLFAGDPts
1Angola32106337
2Burkina Faso311134-14
3Mauritania310234-13
4Algeria302134-12

E

TeamPWDLFAGDPts
1Mali31203125
2South Africa31114224
3Namibia311114-34
4Tunisia302112-12

F

TeamPWDLFAGDPts
1Morocco32105147
2DR Congo30302203
3Zambia302123-12
4Tanzania302114-32
View full Africa Cup of Nations tables

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