The round of 16 and knockout stage of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations kicks off today, January 27, with a match between Group leaders and unbeaten Angola, and one of the top third-placed teams with four points in the group stage, Namibia, at Stade de la Paix.

AFCON 2023 Round of 16: Nigeria-Cameroon, A Great African Classic

Both teams are in different moments, with Angola securing the top spot in their group with seven points, maintaining leadership without a loss. On the other hand, Namibia made history by clinching their first-ever victory in AFCON, earning a spot in the knockout stages and aiming to continue making history.

Looking ahead to this match, both coaches spoke to the media about the upcoming encounter.

Pedro Goncalves, Angola's head coach, commented, "It's a historic moment for us, probably the most crucial match for Angola in the last 14 years."

"We need to be balanced because if we lose balance, Namibia can be dangerous for us," the Angola coach stated regarding his concerns about the match.

VIDEO | AFCON 2023 Highlights: Angola vs Burkina Faso

On the other hand, Collin Benjamin, Namibia's head coach, talked about not being favorites and embracing that role, saying, "I don't remember if Namibia will go into any game with the odds favoring us, it will always go against us. There are no small teams left in the tournament."

This sets the stage for the start of the AFCON 2023 knockout stage. Catch the live broadcast and coverage of Angola vs. Namibia - Saturday, January 27, 11:50 AM ET/8:30 AM PT - on beIN Sports.