Angola defeat Namibia to book quarter-final place

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

It will be recalled that Namibia had recorded their first and only win in the history of the AFCON when they defeated Tunisia. The victory played a vital role in their qualification to the knockout phase, as they finished 3rd in Group E.

Angola had finished at the top of Group D with 7 points. They recorded wins over Mauritania and Burkina Faso and a draw against Algeria.

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 minute before the break.

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And, two minutes after Namibia defender Lubeni Haukongo was sent off for a second bookable offence, 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, 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.