Super Eagles Coach Salisu Yusuf has kick started the mind games ahead of Sunday’s quarter-final match against Angola declaring “respect and humility” for the Palancas Negras.

Nigeria finished top of Group C with seven points and will face Angola, who were runners-up in Group D behind Congo.

Historically, Angola have been very tough customers – in the last 8 meetings Nigeria have won only twice.

Yusuf had stayed back after in Agadir after his side’s 3-1 victory against Equatorial Guinea to scout Nigeria’s next opponents – Congo or Angola at the time.

The gaffer suggested Nigeria could have preferred a different opponent for the last eight but admits “at this level you don’t have a choice about which team to play”.

Speaking after the game between the group D opponents, the Eagles Coach said, “At this level you don’t have a choice about which team to play. When you qualify first you play the second team of the other group.

“They deserve our respect and we remain humble. We respect all teams, we remain focused ahead of the next game.”