The celebrations in Angola are double-fold as their national football team, the Palancras Negras, not only secured a historic quarter-final berth at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) but also received a shower of lucrative rewards for their impressive run.
Their dominant 3-0 victory over Namibia in the round of 16 last Saturday set the stage for a crucial clash against Nigeria, who themselves are undefeated in the tournament.
Both teams are eyeing a place in the semi-finals, with Nigeria seeking a record 16th appearance and Angola chasing their first ever.
Adding to the excitement, Angolan players and officials were showered with cash and gifts in recognition of their achievements.
Banco Angolano de Investimento, a prominent Angolan bank, doled out five million Kwanzas (approximately N5.41 million) to each team member, a significant financial boost.
But the rewards didn’t stop there. Aguinaldo Jaime, the President of the Board of Directors of UNITEL, a private Angolan mobile phone company, went a step further, gifting each member of the Angolan delegation in Ivory Coast a brand new iPhone 15 with free calls, SMS, and internet for a year.
Talk about a luxurious incentive!
The generosity doesn’t end there.
Another company, Sodium EP, has pledged a cool $250,000 to both the national team and technical team if they manage to secure a spot in the final, further fueling their motivation and adding even more weight to the upcoming encounter.
With both teams boasting impressive unbeaten records and the stakes higher than ever, the quarter-final clash between Angola and Nigeria promises to be a thrilling encounter.
Can the Palancas Negras continue their dream run and make history by reaching the semi-finals for the first time, or will Nigeria’s experience and determination see them through?
The entire continent will be watching with bated breath as this AFCON drama unfolds.