Hurray for Angola!
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by user Alex Holowczak
On a warm summers evening in Cologne, Germany, Angola were about to play their first ever match in the World Cup.
They were huge underdogs. They were barely able to qualify from the African Zone, but upset Nigeria to qualify. They even lost to a country called Chad (do you know where it is?) Not only that, but they were playing a fancied team in Portugal. Not only an outside bet of winning the competition, but the auld enemy. Angola was under Portuguese rule for many years, until they gained independence. Civil War now dogs the country.
It was no surprise when Luis Figo's great run was finished off by Portuguese record goalscorer Pauleta inside four minutes. Everyone feared the worst - i.e. a huge drubbing. It was certainly a baptism of fire. Most of the crowd were Portuguese, so you they could have been forgiven for collapsing under the support.
But no. Angola fought on in defence, and if only their attacks were stronger, they could easily have got more from the match. They had chances to score, but none you could say were certainties to score.
Angola hung on for a 1-0 loss. It was a great result for both teams. For Portugal, they got 3 points. The whipping boys earned respect. The defeat was a visible disappointment to them, but after a few days, I'm sure they'll think they did alright in the end.
And then you heard about some of the Angolan team. One player gives 50% of his match fee to an organisation in his home town to help feed the poor. One player dedicates every goal he scores to his mother, whom he lost in the Civil War. He had to raise her children by himself, as his father was fighting in the war. He later died. Many of the team had only avoided service in the Civil War due to their footballing engagements.
When you hear about things like that, it makes the narrow defeat to Portugal almost irrelevant. It's great to hear the success of a team that gives most of it's money away to help their country. Compare these people to those that fight for another million dollars on their contract after a good year, and the Angolans are the real heroes. They have sacrificed everything, and now are being rewareded to the full.
I think everyone wishes Angola the best of luck in their remaining two games against Mexico and Iran.
Join me in supporting Angola for the rest of the World Cup.
| This user is an Angola fan. |
Date
Mon 06/12/06, 4:13 am EST
