African Cup of Nations Preview: Angola

Just two days to go until African Cup of Nations kick off, and I hope you’re as excited as I am. With 14 previews behind us (my fingers hurt) we have just two Group D teams left to get acquainted with. Today it’s Angola, tomorrow South Africa, and the day after that it all begins with Ghana vs Guinea.

The magnificently named Black Antelopes have lost a couple of older players, but drafted in a couple of younger players. One of their strikers recently impressed Alex Ferguson so much that the Manchester United manager simply had to sign him. Angola can also boast having the only African manager at World Cup 2006 and are looking forward to hosting African Cup of Nations 2010. So come on in and meet Angola.

Nickname: Palancas Negras (The Black Antelopes)

Kits: Red shirts with a central black and yellow striped pattern, black shorts, red socks (home.) White shirts with the same central black and yellow striped pattern, white shorts and socks (away.)

Geography: “Angola is situated on the west coast of Africa, and is bordered on the north by Congo and north and northeast by Dem. Rep. of Congo (formerly Zaire), on the Southeast by Zambia and on the south by Namibia and on the west by the Atlantic Ocean.” - The Africa Guide

History: Angola is a national football team on the rise. After not doing much of anything for years Angola made its first African Cup of Nations appearance in 1996, returned in 1998, then again in 2006. This will be only Angola’s fourth AFCON appearance and they have yet to make it past the group stage. Angola is also climbing it’s way up the World Cup ladder, narrowly missing out on qualification in 1998 and 2002 before finally making it in 2006.

Manager: Luís Oliveira Gonçalves is the most successful Angolan coach ever after taking them to World Cup 2006 and earning two points with a 0-0 draw against a strong Mexican team and a 1-1 draw with Iran. He was also the only African coach at the tournament. What I really like about this guy isn’t just his friendly demeanor, but the fact that he worked his way up to the top job by successfully coaching Angola’s youth teams, including Angola under-20 side that won the African youth championships in 2001.

FIFA World Ranking (December 2007): 73 (then up to 72 in January 2008)

Expectations: A good achievement for Angola would be to progress beyond the group stage for the first time. But they’re also looking to build for the African Cup of Nations 2010, where they’ll be hosting.

Pros: Angola have got valuable big stage experience from World Cup 2006, with several players who did themselves proud in Germany returning. Left back Luís Delgado recently became the first Angolan to play in the French top flight, following Metz’s promotion to Ligue 1. 35-year-old miniature midfielder Figueiredo (5′7″) will be influential, as will fellow shorty (5′9″) André in defensive midfield. Striker Flavio (pictured, singing the national anthem like a champ) scored Angola’s only goal at the 2006 World Cup and finished last season as top scorer in the Eyptian league with Al-Ahly. And then of course there’s 24-year-old forward Manucho, recently acquired by Alex Ferguson. More on him below. The other good thing Angola have going for them is a strong sense of organization, a result of the manager’s familiarity with all the players he’s brought through from youth level.

Cons: Notable absentees will be influential former skipper and highest ever goalscorer Akwá, who has retired from international football and Benfica striker Mantorras, who has a long-standing knee injury.

Player to Watch: All eyes will be on Manucho Gonçalves, as we all look to see exactly what Manchester United have signed in the big striker. He’s yet to play outside the Angolan domestic league so it will be fascinating to see if he’s capable of stepping up to Premier League standards.

Team Blog? We’re working on it.

Fixtures: In Group D with South Africa, Tunisia, Senegal
Angola vs South Africa (Tamale,January 23rd, 19:30)
Angola vs Senegal (Tamale, January 27th, 17:00)
Angola vs Tunisia (Tamale, 31st January, 17:00)

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Lama (Petro Atletico), Mario (InterClube), Nuno (AS Aviacao)

Defenders: Marco Airosa (Fatima), Delgado (Metz), Jamba (AS Aviacao), Kali (FC Sion), Loco (Primeiro Agosto), Machado (Anadia), Rui Marques (Leeds United), Yamba Asha (Petro Atletico)

Midfielders: Andre (Kuwait SC), Dede, Edson (both Pacos Ferreira), Figueiredo (Osters), Gilberto (Al Ahli), Maurito (Kuwait SC), Mendonca (Estrela Amadora), Ze Kalanga (Boavista)

Strikers: Flavio (Al Ahli), Love (Primeiro Agosto), Manucho (Petro Atletico [in the middle of signing for Man Utd]), Mateus (Boavista).