With two goals for 10-man Angola in a 3-0 victory over Namibia in the last 16 on Saturday in Bouake, Gelson Dala increased his total number of goals scored in the Africa Cup of Nations to four.
Read Also: AFCON 2023: Peseiro’s winning strategy for Cameroon encounter- Omeruo
Unexpected gift Next Friday, Angola will play in a quarterfinal against either Cameroon or Nigeria, who meet later in Abidjan.
The match between the neighbours of southern Africa was practically over when Mabululu scored halfway through the second half, following two goals by Dala in the first.
First-half red cards from Angola custodian Neblu and Namibia defender Lubeni Haukongo reduced both sides to 10 men.
Angola’s victory margin set a record, surpassing their two-goal wins over Senegal and Malawi in prior Cup of Nations competitions.
When the African football showcase began in the Ivory Coast fourteen days ago, nobody would have predicted the first of eight second-round matches.
Angola, who had only four wins in 26 AFCON games, was predicted to place third at best. Instead, they won a group that included Burkina Faso, Mauritania, and surprise losers Algeria.
In their previous three outings, Namibia had lost seven games and secured just two draws. 26 years ago in Burkina Faso, there was a draw versus Angola.
Angola, who made two changes from the starting lineup against Burkina Faso on Tuesday, was reduced to 10 men after just 17 minutes of play.
Neblu, one of the numerous Angolans who go by a nickname instead of their own name, was red-carded right away for handling a Bethuel Muzeu lob outside of his zone.
Midfielder Estrela was substituted for backup custodian Antonio Dominique, who was called upon to save a Deon Hotto free kick after coming off the bench.
The contest dramatically changed after a water break to help players function in the scorching 34 degrees Celsius (93 Fahrenheit) heat. In only four minutes, there were two goals and another red card.
On minute 38, a cross from Gilberto and a cutback from Fredy allowed Dala to sidefoot the ball into the corner of the net.
Two minutes later, the Mauritanian referee gave up Namibia’s numerical advantage when Haukongo received a second yellow card and was substituted out.
On 42 minutes, Dala scored again, sending a strong header from a free kick by Fredy into the net to give Angola a two-goal lead that they would hold until halftime.
Following early Namibian push in the second half to score a goal and get back into the running for a last-eight spot, Angola increased their lead to three goals on minute 66.
The seasoned Mabululu quickly made up for his missed shot by racing onto a Dala pass and expertly curling it past custodian Lloyd Kazapua.
In the final minutes, a shot from Riaan Hanamub forced a remarkable save from Dominique, demonstrating the Namibians’ unwavering resolve in the face of certain defeat.
Angola was denied a fourth goal in extra time when replacement Zito Luvumbo’s effort struck the crossbar and bounced.
