The Palancas Negras of Angola face familiar foes in the Nigeria Super Eagles in the AFCON 2023 last eight on Friday.
Angola's build-up to the upcoming clash against Nigeria at the AFCON 2023 has been thrown into disarray following the shock departure of one of the players Ben Mukendi.
Pulse Sports Nigeria can report that has sensationally quit the squad just days before the clash with the Super Eagles.
Angola vs Nigeria: Star player quits
The team, basking in the glory of their first-ever quarter-final appearance after a resounding 3-0 victory over Namibia, is grappling with internal challenges.
A key figure, Mukendi, who played a pivotal role in securing the team's spot in Cote d'Ivoire, has opted for an abrupt exit. Mukendi, a star player for Angola, has decided to part ways with the national squad and return to his club, Casa Pia, in Portugal.
Despite being a standout performer during the qualifiers, Mukendi has found himself relegated to the bench at AFCON 2023, sparking discontent that ultimately led to his unexpected departure per quest time.
This twist has stirred concerns within the team about the impact on their unity, especially as they gear up for the all-important showdown against Nigeria.
Mukendi's absence will undoubtedly be felt, and questions arise about how the Palancas Negras will navigate this unforeseen challenge in such a critical phase of the tournament.
With less than 24 hours to the highly anticipated quarter-final clash, Angola's coaching staff faces the daunting task of reshaping the squad without the influential Mukendi.
The stage is set for a dramatic quarter-final, and Angola's unexpected setback adds an intriguing layer to the narrative.
Meanwhile, Pulse Sports check revealed that Mukendi, also known as Beni's return to Portugal ended in a heavy defeat for his team following an 8-0 defeat to Sporting CP.
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