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The Super Eagles are billed to face Angola’s Palancas Negras on Friday in a quarterfinal clash at the ongoing 34th Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire, Soccernet.ng reports.
The stakes could not be higher, with a whopping $2.5 million (approximately N2.24 billion) prize awaiting the victors, as stipulated by the Confederation of African Football for any team advancing to the semifinals.
Having already secured $800,000 in prize money for progressing beyond the group stage, the Nigerian squad bolstered their coffers with an additional $1.3 million by beating Cameroon to secure semifinal berth. For Nigerian fans and players alike, it is a chance for redemption and remembrance.
Angola’s historic role in thwarting Nigeria’s bid for the 2006 FIFA World Cup still lingers in memory, with the Super Eagles falling short after a narrow 1-0 loss in Luanda was followed by a tense 1-1 draw in Kano.
Moreover, the match carries emotional weight as Nigerian football enthusiasts recall the tragic passing of Eagles star Samuel Okwaraji during a 1990 World Cup qualifier against Angola.
