Day 21 of the 2023 AFCON begins with the quarter final match between Nigeria and Angola. The two teams are meeting for the first time in the AFCON and Nigerians still remember how they missed out of the 2006 World Cup no thanks to Angola.

In the round of 16, Nigeria defeated Cameroon 2-0 with Lookman Ademola scoring a brace. Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali left injured and Nigerians are hoping he makes the team today. Angola were 3-0 winners of Namibia despite having a man sent off earlier than Namibia. Guinea pipped Equatorial Guinea 1-0 while Egypt were knocked out on penalties after playing out a 1-1 draw with DR Congo. Mo Salah is free to return to Anfield and get ready for Arsenal. DR Congo and Egypt are draw magnets.

Cape Verde expectedly defeated Mauritania 1-0 while hosts Cote d’Ivoire knocked out favourites Senegal via penalties. The host had qualified through the best third route but have now set up themselves to reach the final. Mali won the West African derby 2-1 over Burkina Faso while South Africa knocked out Morocco 2-0. The Moroccans ended the game with 10-men.

I got 5/8 of my predictions right – Egypt, Senegal and Morocco were the teams that were knocked out as against my prediction. No team in the quarter-finals were in the 2021 quarter-finals. Incredible.

So, hostilities begin by 6pm today with Nigeria vs Angola. DR Congo will play Guinea by 9pm. Tomorrow, Mali will play the hosts Cote d’Ivoire while Cape Verde will play South Africa.

With the top 5 nations in the continent out of the continent, Nigeria is statistically positioned to win the 2023 AFCON. Will the Super Eagles progress tonight?