Gelson Dala double sends Angola into Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals

Posted Sunday, January 28, 2024 by PA

Angola beat Namibia 3-0 to reach the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations after both sides finished with 10 men in Bouake.

The Black Antelopes, who won Group D, looked to have made the worst possible start when goalkeeper Neblu was shown a red card for handball outside the area in the 17th minute.

Angola, though, took the lead in the 38th minute through Gelson Dala.

⌚️ FULL-TIME!
Gelson Dala & Mabululu star again as Angola beat Namibia with 3 goals to none. 🇦🇴#TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 | #ANGNAM pic.twitter.com/RUonPO2idt
— CAF (@CAF_Online) January 27, 2024

Namibia, through to the knockout stages for the first time after finishing among the best third-placed teams, then found themselves also down to 10 men when defender Lubeni Haukongo was sent off for a second caution five minutes before half-time.

Dala nodded in a second for Angola ahead of the break, with Al Ittihad forward Mabululu scoring a third in the 66th minute to secure a place in the last eight.

Namibia’s hopes of further progress in the tournament appeared to have been lifted earlier when Bethuel Muzeu raced clear and tried to lob the advancing goalkeeper, who palmed the ball away clearly outside his area.

🫡🔥This is how the @tafellager Brave Warriors line up against 🇦🇴 in the TotalEnergies AFCON Round of 16.
Match kick-off is 17h00, 19h00 in 🇳🇦 at Stade de la Paix de Bouake‼️#itsourtime #wearebravewarriors #totalenergiesafcon2023 pic.twitter.com/EmvxCdnjGb
— NFA (@Official_NFA) January 27, 2024

Despite the setback of Neblu’s red card – Signori Antonio came on in goal, replacing midfielder Estrela – it was Angola who got themselves in front when Dala tucked home a cross from Fredy.

Namibia defender Haukongo then collected a second caution for a foul on Mabululu as he broke clear.

Angola struck again just a couple of minutes after as Dala headed in a second from Fredy’s free-kick.

Gelson Dala double sends Angola into Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals — Gelson Dala struck twice for Angola as they booked a place in the quarter-finals (Themba Hadebe/AP)

Early in the second half, Brave Warriors captain Peter Shalulile fired over before Angola scored a third in the 66th minute following a swift counter-attack.

Fredy picked up a loose pass on the edge of Angola’s area and the ball eventually found its way through to Mabululu, who cut back on to his right foot and curled a shot into the far corner.

Shalulile saw a header drop just wide before Angola substitute Zito Luvumbo hit the crossbar during stoppage time as Pedro Goncalves’ side progressed to the last eight.