Before Friday’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) quarterfinal matchup between Angola and Nigeria’s Super Eagles, players and officials have been showered with material and monetary gifts in an attempt to inspire victory.
In addition, the Palancas Negras were guaranteed cash gifts should they make it to the tournament’s semifinals. On Saturday, they overcame Namibia 3-0 in the Round of 16 to proceed to the quarterfinals, where they will face Nigeria.
The Angola Press Agency reports that Angolan bank Banco Angolano de Investimento has announced that it will give five million Kwanzas, or about N5.41 million, to each player and coach for the Angola national team.
Aguinaldo Jaime, the head of UNITEL, a private mobile phone company in Angola, also gave an iPhone 15 with a year’s worth of free calls, SMS, and internet access to every member of the Angolan delegation in Cote d’Ivoire.
In addition, SODIAM EP has made a sizable offer to the team: US$250,000, or N225 million, should they defeat the Super Eagles.
Nigeria and Angola would both be unbeaten going into Friday’s quarterfinal showdown. In the second round, Nigeria defeated Cameroon, Guinea-Bissau, and Cote d’Ivoire. Cameroon is the five-time champion. After drawing 1-1 with Algeria in the opening game, Angola went on to win 3-2 against Mauritania in the second game and 2-0 against Burkina Faso in the last group encounter. In the round of 16, Angola overcame Namibia 3-0.
