Angola 3-0 Namibia: Gelson Dala nets brace as both sides reduced to ten men in eventful AFCON last-16 clash | OneFootball

Gelson Dala starred for Angola in a comfortable win

AP

Both sides were reduced to ten men before half-time, with Angola's goalkeeper Neblu shown an early red card for handling the ball outside his area and Namibia then losing Lubeni Haukongo to a second yellow card.

Dala netted either side of that Haukongo sending off, with those goals leaving Namibia with a mountain to climb in their first ever AFCON knockout match. A second-half comeback did not materialise, as Mabululu's finish sealed Angola's biggest ever AFCON win and ensured they will face either Nigeria or Cameroon in the last-eight.

It had looked like being so different when Angola went a man down after just 17 minutes, as Neblu charged off his line to save Bethuel Muzeu's lobbed effort, but did so having ventured outside the box.

A lovely move gave Angola the lead though, as Fredy and Gilberto combined brilliantly before the ball was squared to leave Dala a simple finish in the middle.

That marked the start of a disastrous four-minute spell for Namibia, who then had a man sent off themselves. Haukongo, already on a yellow card, tripped the heels of Mabululu as the forward made a run in behind, and a second booking swiftly followed.

Namibia never looked like forcing their way back into the match and the outcome was effectively sealed midway through the second-half, as Dala played the ball through to Mabululu and he found the far corner with a sensational curling effort.