Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying | Group Stage

Oct 15, 2024 at 5pm UK

Stade Larbi Zaouli

Niger vs Angola

Match preview

Niger were condemned to their second defeat of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers when they were beaten 2-0 by Angola in a clash at the Estadio 11 de Novembro on Friday.

Despite dominating proceedings with over 60% of the possession, Angola needed a 75th-minute penalty from Mabululu to break the deadlock before substitute Milson's 85th-minute strike gave them some breathing space.

In between those two defeats, Niger were held to a draw by Ghana on 9 September when Oumar Sako's 81st-minute strike cancelled out Alidu Seidu's first-half opener to earn a share of the spoils in Berkane.

Badou's men have now gone five games without a win in all competitions, losing four and drawing one since a 2-1 victory over Zambia in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, where they currently sit third in Group E with three points from four games.

While Niger will be looking to bounce back on Tuesday, they will have to do so against an opponent who have won each of the last three meetings between the two nations, scoring seven goals and conceding just two since June 2008.

Friday's result maintained Angola's 100 per cent record in the race for a place in Morocco, as they move closer to securing back-to-back AFCON appearances following their quarter-final exit in Côte d'Ivoire.

Pedro Goncalves' side had eked out a hard-fought 1-0 win over Ghana in their Group F opener on 5 September, thanks to a 93rd-minute strike from Milson, four days before seeing off Sudan 2-1 at the Estadio 11 de Novembro.

Angola go into Tuesday's clash on the back of seven consecutive victories in all competitions, including a 5-0 thrashing of Namibia in the 2024 COSAFA Cup final, and have not lost since a 1-0 friendly defeat to Morocco on 22 March.

The Black Sable Antelopes have scored 20 goals and kept six clean sheets since their defeat by Morocco in March.

Recent Performance

Niger Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying form:LDL

Niger form (all competitions):LLDLDL

Angola Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying form:WWW

Angola form (all competitions):WWWWWW

Injuries and suspensions

NIger

no sidelined players

Angola

No sidelined players

Possible starting lineups

Niger possible starting lineup:

Neblu; Gaspar, Bastos, Carmo; Modesto, Fredy, Show, Cruz; Mabululu, Luvumbo, Dala

Angola possible starting lineup:

A Hainikoye; Alhassane, Abdouramane, Boueye, Badamassi, Ousmane Diabate, Youssouf Oumarou and Najeeb Yakubu; Sosah, B Hainikoye