Angola – the country, the population, and the football
The Republic of Angola (Repubilika ya Ngola), better known as Angola, is a country placed in the south of the African continent. It has a west coast with the Atlantic Ocean sweeping its borders. The Democratic Republic of Congo, Namibia, and Zambia are its three neighboring countries (on the north, on the south, and on the east respectively).
With an estimated population of 18,498,000 habitants Angola are ranked among the top 16 nations with the biggest populations in Africa. They come behind countries like Nigeria, Egypt, Morocco, Ethiopia, South Africa, or also the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Angola’s history has been filled with tribulations (which include war and colonialism). The country won their independence in 1975; they are now ready to raise their flag high and sing “Angola Avante” (national anthem) as they host the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time ever.
In terms of football, Angola are still learning to improve as they aim to achieve higher standards internationally. Currently seating 94th in the FIFA World rankings, the Black Antelopes will only be making their fifth appearance in the Africa Cup of Nations championship.
Angolans are actually renowned on the world stage and the African platform as the main force among the continent’s basketball teams. Ten African Basketball Championship titles can be counted in their cabinet. Meanwhile, the country is yet to clinch any major trophy in football.
Angola’s greatest achievement in soccer was not when they qualified into the quarter-finals of CAN 2008 or when they reached their peak of being the 45th best footballing nation in the FIFA rankings in 2000.
The country’s greatest achievement surely has to be when they qualified for Germany 2006 to play in their first ever World Cup. Despite crushing out from the group stages, they got pride by losing only one of their three fixtures and by allowing only two goals in their net.
Angola – The road to the Africa Cup of Nations finals
They didn’t have to go through a series of matches characterized with thrill, passion, anxiety, or hope. Angola simply qualified as hosts of the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations.
Instead of beating the likes Gabon & Equatorial Guinea, Libya, and Nigeria through games, Angola did so with an impressive package and bid.
It was on Monday, September 4, 2006 that Angola won the right to stage the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations by the Confederations of African Football. CAF rather opted to have Gabon and Equatorial Guinea hosting the tournament together in 2012, and Libya hosting it in 2014.
Nigeria were chosen as the reserve candidates to stage the tournament if Angola had been unable to host it in the end. However, the Portuguese-speaking nation defied the doubters by keeping hold of their reward to host the Africa Cup of Nations in January.
Despite not playing any qualification game since crashing out early from the joint World Cup & Africa Cup of Nations qualifying groups, Angola moved four places up in the FIFA rankings thanks to an accumulated 362,1 points collected in their last three fixtures where they didn’t taste defeat.
Angola – Africa Cup of Nations group stage
Being the host nation, Angola were picked in Pot 1 during the draw- which took place on November 20th – for the group stages of the tournament.
Luckily, they escaped the danger of facing Tunisia, Nigeria, and current bronze medalists Ghana who were all paired in Pot 2.
Angola occupy Group A alongside Mali, Malawi, and Algeria, in respect of their seeding. The Palancas Negras are due to play their matches at the Estadio Cidade Universitaria in Luanda.
Match-day One:
Angola will open the Africa Cup of Nations tournament against Mali on January 10th at 16:00 GMT. Both countries failed to qualify for the first ever World Cup to be staged in Africa.
The Nations Cup will come as an important opportunity for Mali’s big stars – who come in the name of Frederic Kanoute, Seidou Keita, and Diarra – to prove their value and comfort themselves from missing out from South Africa 2010.
This fixture promises to showcase maximum talent from both sides. Home support will definitely benefit Angola but it might not necessarily kill the fear of being upset by the Malians.
Match-day Two:
On January 14th, Angola take on Malawi in an evening fixture. The clash will start at 18:30 GMT.
It could offer Angola the chance to qualify onto the next stage of the competition. On the other hand, should Angola stumble against Mali, then the match against Malawi – who are just one place below the continental and world rankings – should help them recover.
Match-day Three:
Four days later, Angola will face last-minute World Cup finalists Algeria at 16:00 GMT at the Estadio Cidade Universitaria. It should be a mouthwatering encounter as the public would be curious to know whether the hosts have enough backing to defeat the World Cup tickets holders and 28th ranked Algerian national football team.
Angola – Current Africa Cup of Nations squad
Angola's new coach, Jose Manuel finally announced his 23-man squad for the tournament. Here is the full list:
Goalkeepers:
Carlos; Lama; Wilson
Defenders:
Jamuana; Dias Caires; Kali; Enoque; Rui Marques
Midfielders:
Chara; Dede; Gilberto; David; Mabina; Stelvio; Francisco Zuela
Attackers:
Djalma; Flavio Amado; Love Cabungula; Manucho; Job; Ze Kalanga; Johnson Macaba; Mantorras
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Angola – Quick analysis: Expectations from Angola and its top stars
The Black Antelopes might not even be among the best five African countries in the FIFA rankings but they still possess enough talent to overcome the rest of their continental rivals.
Winning the African Cup of Nations will be a dream-come-true for Angola, so even if such a wish is demanding too much from the national football team’s squad, the belief of triumphing game by game is still there.
Flavio
As Angola’s most dangerous player, the former Al-Ahly striker might try to impress once more. The 30-year-old Al-Shabab player scored his country’s only goal at the World Cup in 2006 and he is in the running to extend his 20-goal barrier in less than 60 appearances for his country.
Manucho
At only 26 years of age, Manucho is the captain of the Angolan national team. The forward was at the centre of attraction in the last edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, having scored four goals (one of which was believed to be the best goal of the tournament).
Manucho will try and erase the disappointment of crushing out from CAN 2008 against Egypt despite having equalized during the match with a screaming shot.
Being the captain, Manucho will have the opportunity to spread more of his influence into the rest of the squad. His club football career has known many downs since his departure from Petro Atletico where he spent 6 years.
Switching from Manchester United to Panathinaikos, to Hull City, and to Real Valladolid finally just describes how unsettled Manucho’s career has been since 2008. Participating in the Africa Cup of Nations should therefore boost his moral as Angolan fans expect him to carry the team on his shoulders.
Manuel Jose
Much of the attention will be on the credibility of Manuel Jose as the coach of the Angolan national football team. The decorated manager has won a multitude of honors in club football – be it in Portugal or in Africa.
However, the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations championship will see him guide a national team in a tournament for the first time in his 25 years of professional coaching career.
Angola - Unforgettable moments
Angola’s most unforgettable moment will certainly be the day when CAF announced that they would be the hosts for the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Confederation of African Football announced Angola’s right to stage the tournament on Monday, September 4, 2006.
It meant that the country’s fears of going through a tough run of matches in order to qualify for this major tournament had positively been blown away.
CAF’s decision to chose Angola as hosts of the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations made them the first Portugues-speaking country to stage the competition.
Angola – Africa Cup of Nations record
Angola participated in the African continent’s most prestigious championship only five times. The first time they qualified into the competition was back in 1996.
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2010: Qualified as hosts
2008: Quarterfinals
2006, 1998, 1996: Round 1
It has been a long time coming since Angolans are waiting to clinch their first major trophy at the international level.
On January 20th, the best 15 nations around Africa will be on their soil for the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations. It appears to be Angola’s best ever opportunity to dazzle and emerge as champions of the African continent.
The Black Antelopes are far behind other giant countries like Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Egypt, or Cameroon in terms of success. They need to raise their image and revolutionize their status through the 27th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations. But will this change ever come?
Check back for more concerning Angola throughout the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations and get more news on the Palanca Negras, exclusively on Live Soccer TV!
