Angola have lost their bid to have goalkeeper Adilson Cipriano da Cruz ‘Neblú’ available for the crucial quarter-final clash with Nigeria.
The Angolan goalkeeper, Adilson Cipriano da Cruz, popularly known as Neblú, got a red card after just 16 minutes in their round of sixteen clash against Namibia when he handled the ball outside of the box.
The 30-year-old was anticipated to serve a two-game suspension following his dismissal.
However, following an appeal by the Angola Football Federation, the shot stopper will miss one game.
The reduction was granted on the grounds that Neblu handled the ball outside of the 18-yard box and did not engage in violent behaviour or endanger the bodily integrity of an opposition player.
This revelation gives Jose Peseiro‘s team an additional advantage because the opposition’s first-choice custodian will have one less person to worry about.
Another Angolan midfielder, 21-year-old Beni Mukendi, will miss today’s game because he left the country’s camp and returned to his club, Casa Pia in Portugal, after playing no minutes at the AFCON 2023 event.
His absence will be a major setback for Pedro Goncalves’ team, which is aiming to reach the semi-finals for the first time in AFCON history.
They will meet the Super Eagles at Abidjan’s Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium on Friday.
Jose Peseiro is also concerned about Stanley Nwabali, his first-choice custodian after the 27-year-old sustained an injury in Nigeria’s match against Cameroon.
