Angola are not traditionally a powerhouse in the
Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2024), but they’ve managed to
reach the quarter-finals in two of their last five appearances.
For clarity’s sake, this year’s competition is officially named
AFCON 2023 since it was initially scheduled to take place last year
but was postponed until January-February 2024.
Here’s all you need to know about the Palancas Negras.
AFCON 2024: Angola calendar
Angola find themselves in Group D of AFCON 2024, where
they’ll face Algeria, Burkina Faso and Mauritania. The Palancas
Negras are behind Algeria and Burkina Faso in the pecking order for
qualification but this is AFCON and upsets are not out of the
question.
15 January, 9pm: Algeria – Angola, Bouake Stadium
20 January, 6pm.: Mauritania – Angola, Bouake Stadium
23 January, 9pm Angola – Burkina Faso, Charles-Konan-Banny
Stadium
How did the Angola team qualify for
AFCON 2024?
Angola booked their place at AFCON 2023 after finishing second
in their qualifying group. The Southern African nation was drawn
against Ghana, the Central Africa Republic CAR) and Madagascar in
Group E and concluded the qualifying series with nine points, just
three behind group winners Ghana.
Day 1: Angola-Central African Republic (2-1)
Day 2: Madagascar-Angola (1-1)
Day 3: Ghana-Angola (1-0)
Day 4: Angola-Ghana (1-1)
Day 5: Central African Republic-Angola (1-2)
Day 6: Angola-Madagascar (0-0)
Last 10 Angola matches before AFCON
2024
Mauritius-Angola (0-0) – 2026 World Cup Qualifiers
Cape Verde-Angola (0-0) – 2026 World Cup Qualifiers
Angola-DR Congo (0-0) – Friendly
Angola-Mozambique (1-1) – Friendly
Iran-Angola (4-0) – Friendly
Angola-Madagascar (0-0) – AFCON 2023 Qualifiers
Central African Republic-Angola (1-2) – AFCON 2023
Qualifiers
Angola-Ghana (1-1) – CAN 2023 Qualifiers
Ghana-Angola (1-0) – AFCON 2023 Qualifiers
South Africa-Angola (1-1) – Friendly
Angola: The promise of a new
dawn?
Angola were very impressive in qualifying for AFCON 2023. The
Palancas Negras suffered just one defeat – against Ghana – in six
qualifying matches.
Although Pedro Goncalves’ side tends to struggle in front of
goal, they are very resolute in defence, which is typified by the
clean sheets they’ve kept in each of their last three matches.
Angola, though, have not had a lot of joy in the AFCON in recent
years, having failed to qualify in 2021, while also exiting at the
group stage in the tournament before that.
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However, the Palancas Negras can draw inspiration from their
best runs in the AFCON, which came in 2008 and 2010 when they
reached the quarter-finals on each occasion.
It could be a new dawn for Angola in the Ivory Coast, but they
need to find a way to score goals if they’re going to stand any
chance of progressing to the knockout rounds.
Angola coach at AFCON 2024: Pedro
Goncalves
Goncalves has been the head coach of the Angola national team
since 2019 and there are very few arguments against his extended
stay.
The Portuguese coach has risen through the ranks, first managing
the country’s U20 and U23 teams before being appointed as coach of
the senior national team.
Last year, he etched his name into Angolan football folklore
when he became the first coach to lead the country to qualify for
both the Championship of African Nations (CHAN) and the AFCON.
He is also credited with the development of young players and,
while at Sporting Lisbon, he is said to have played a key role in
the nurturing of Rafael Leao, Eric Dier and Joao Mario.
Goncalves comes across as a very modest man but his tactical
nous have always been evident and he and his side will be no
pushovers at AFCON 2024.
Player to watch: Zito Luvumbo
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One of Angola’s brightest prospects at the moment is Zito
Luvumbo, who looks ready to lead the line for the Palancas Negras
in the Ivory Coast.
The 21-year-old is a player of Serie A side Cagliari but is
currently on loan at lower-tier side Como, where he has registered
three goals this season.
Despite his relatively young age, Luvumbo has already been
capped six times by Angola and will be their player to watch during
the AFCON.
Angola team: AFCON 2024 preparation
program
Angola have chosen Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as
their training camp ahead of AFCON 2024.
Angola’s final squad for AFCON
2024
Goalkeepers
Antonio Dominique (Etoile Carouge, Switzerland)
Kadu (Oliveira Hospital, Portugal)
Neblu (Premeiro Agosto, Angola)
Defenders
Eddie Afonso (Petro Atletico, Angola)
To Carneiro, Kinito (Petro Atletico, Angola)
Loide Augusto (Alanyaspor, Turkey)
Jonathan Buatu (Valenciennes, France)
Nurio Fortuna (Gent, Belgium)
Kialonda Gaspar (Estrela Amadora, Portugal)
Midfielders
Beni (Casa Pia, Portugal)
Estrela (Erzurumspor, Turkey)
Fredy (Eyupspor, Turkey)
Keliano Manuel (Estrela Amadora, Portugal)
Bruno Paz (Konyaspor, Turkey)
Forwards
Jeremie Bela (Clermont, France)
Gelson Dala (Al Wakrah, Qatar)
Zito Luvumbo (Cagliari, Italy)
Mabululu (Al Ittihad, Egypt)
M’bala Nzola (Fiorentina, Italy)
Felicio Milson (Maccabi Tel Aviv, Israel)
Zine (AEK Athens, Greece)
Source link : https://www.afrik-foot.com/en-ng/afcon-2023-angola-group-calendar-opponents-squad
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Publish date : 2024-01-16 08:00:00
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