Reaction: Angola World Cup squad announced
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By Bobo
Angola are making their first appearance in the World Cup, supplemented by several players attempting to make their way in the biggest soccer competition on the planet for the first and only time thus far.
The main Angolan goalkeeper, with ten years' international experience, but a lack of club affiliation, is Joao Ricardo who, despite his advancing years, has promised to keep on the good side of his coach, at least until the finals are over. At 36 years old, this is probably Ricardo's last chance to shine, and with his positive attitude pushing the team forward, this serves as a good thing for his teammates.
Defender Marcos Airosa, currently in Portugal at Second Division team Barreirense, is a player who was left without a chance at African Nations Cup football earlier this year. With little to speak of concerning his previous form, he will probably end up being one of the quieter players in the tournament, with little chance for him to shine, though that would seem the most important thing to achieve in terms of scouting coverage.
Joao Pereira, otherwise known as Jamba has proved with power and skill in the domestic league over the last ten years that he is one of the players that the fledgling Angolan squad cannot do without. However, with considerably less international experience than his club status deserves, having only been called up since 1998, he has seen little action apart from Cosafa Castle Cup matches. Having been named Angola's best player in a recent radio poll, Pereira is one who will want to keep his eye on the mark.
Antonio Lebo Lebo, a quality reserve defender at home team Petro Atletico, has accrued 15 caps in the last 24 months since his first cap against Mozambique. However, having appeared in only three games during Angola's run to the finals of this competition, he is likely to be little more than a bit part player, albeit having aided them through matches against Rwanda, Gabon and the politically striven Zimbabweans. Lebo aided Sagrada to a league title in 2005, but will probably be lucky to get a run-out this time around.
Carlos Kali Alfonso, rock of the Angolan defence, currently makes his play in the reaches of the Portuguese second division. Though an important player in defence, he is just as worthy in attack, and could easily play well during the tournament, possibly even securing recognition from much bigger clubs.
Marcos Joaquim Miloy former African Cup Winners Cup finalist with Luanda's main police team, has been a regular figure in the squad, and will probably get a chance to prove his worth during this competition, as his versatility is second to none. A midfielder by trade, Miloy can play best in defence, though he is not merely suited to this role.
Paulo Jose Figueiredo is small, resourceful, and nomadic to the last, having left his country at the age of three due to civil war, having gone without a cap in Angola for three years having been first utilized during 2000. And though this did mean that he was in the country of his birth for the first time in thirty years, he has not played in the most glamorous of locations, clubs, leagues or stadia over the last few years, including a third-tier attempt at salvaging his career in Portugal, and second division Angola side Varzim.
Andre Venceslau Valentim Macenga, one of the star players for main Kuwaiti side Al Kuwait, had previously worked in Turkey, and is strong in defense or midfield, generally happy to switch between the two and to aid his teammates in whichever department needs most work. Having started his career in Portugal, he moved to Turkey before being truly happy settling into club football.
Mantorras pin-up boy of the Angolan side, and idol of so many up-and-coming soccer playing youngsters within his country, is speedy, regularly goalbound, and one of the true faces to watch at this year's competition. Again affected by civil war, and with little chance to appear in the top Angolan league, Mantorras made his way to Portugal, before leading his country to Under-20 African Nations Cup triumph. With little play to speak of over the last two seasons, his future was initially called into doubt, but his chance to shine at the World Cup speaks for itself.
Fabrice Alcebiade Maieco, better known as Akwa, has enough power, strength, and a devious enough touch to have been labelled “the new Eusebio”, and with more than ten years’ experience behind him, after first appearing for the national side in 1995, moving to Qatar at the age of 20, and catapulting Angola into the World Cup Finals this year with his goal against Rwanda, he is now the captain of the Angolan side, after overcoming Nigeria in the final group stages.
Mateus Galiano da Costa has stepped up to the plate after Gilberto and Maurito have both suffered injuries, and has performed well in doing so. Having made his debut for Portuguese side Gil Vicente earlier in the season, Mateus has stepped up to the plate in Lesotho’s Cosafa Cup. Making his debut in the first of these qualifying games, he later scored against both Mauritius and the Lesothans to bag his place in the World Cup squad.
The second goalkeeper, Luis Mamona Joao Lama, is underneath a brilliant chance to perform within the team, having previously helped the 2001 Youth Championship Angolans to the last 16s. The expert penalty kick saver should find his skills an asset as well as his ability to spur his team on in difficult situations.
Edson de Jesus Nobre plays his club football in Portugal, and is one of the few regular team players in the Angolan side, for his club, Pacos de Ferreira. As expert an attacker as a defender, he is possibly the most versatile of players within his squad.
Antonio Manuel Viana Mendonca should secure a place in midfield for the Angolans, having first played during the 2001 FIFA World Youth Championships. The talented right sided midfielder plays in Portugal, most recently for lower league team Varzim.
Rui Marques has played club football in Switzerland, Germany and even England, shunning a career in Portugal, and the young midfielder joined the Angolans for the African Cup of Nations this year, making first team starts all the more possible.
Flavio Amado, strike partner of Akwa, scored three of his country’s goals in the African Nations Cup in 2006, and most recently joined Egyptians Al Ahly Cairo, representatives in the 2005 FIFA World Club Championship. An expert in taking on defenders, the youngster is one of the main attacking forces in the team.
Ze Kalinga, master substitute, aided Angola in the most recent African Nations Cup tournament. He plays in capital Luanda for record-breaking domestic team Petro Atletico, and often appears for the Angolans in pressure situations when they need more substitute backup.
Arsenio Sebastiao Cabungula, otherwise known as Love, is one of the most promising of Angola’s strikers. However, behind the top strikeforce of Akwa and Flavio Amado, Love is most likely to have to start on the bench for most of the matches in which his team participates.
Andre Titti Buengo, the single most powerful member of the Angolan team, has been present at both the African Nations Cup and the 2006 World Cup qualifiers, and having spent a decent amount of time in both Switzerland and France, is looking to make a good showing during this competition.
Manuel Loco Cange has tremendous speed for a player of his considerable stature, and though he can sometimes substitute this for poor tactical play, his speed on and off the ball is something which fellow players will have to watch out for when facing him in attack.
Delgado, at 33, might be facing one of his last opportunities to play internationally. A centre back, he plays in Angola, patrolling the left side of defence. He has more than eight years international experience and this will come in handy when facing the big clubs.
Hipolito Mario has beaten off the challenge of several other goalkeepers to come into his team at the last minute. His team InterClube have performed well in the national leagues and have been making good progress in the African Confederations Cup.
The youngsters finally have a chance to shine, and who's going to begrudge them the right to perform to their true ability the way Senegal believed they could?
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