LUANDA: Angola approach the African Cup of Nations as one of the lowest ranked contenders and after a failed campaign to qualify for the 2010 World Cup.
Yet under skilled new coach Manuel Jose Angola, whose fortunes have dipped since appearing at the 2006 World Cup, are counting on the hosts effect to steer them to at least the knock out stages.
The Palancas Negras (Black Antelopes) will be hoping to emulate Egypt (2006) or Tunisia (2004), winners of Africa s biennial competition on home soil.
The 2000 hosts Nigeria came second, Ghana (2008) third and, significantly, apparent whipping boys Mali (2002) and Burkina Faso (1998) fourth.
As hosts Angola were automatically seeded for November s draw, which pitted them against Malawi, back for a second appearance 25 years after last competing, Mali and Algeria.
Jose s team – making a fifth appearance – tuned up for the competition with two home friendlies in November – a goalless draw against Ghana and a 1-1 draw with Congo.
Since his arrival Jose has concentrated on sorting out what he regarded as a weak spot in Angola s make-up – the central defence – and adopted a 3-5-2 or 3-4-3 system in friendlies.
He believes he has made progress since his appointment six months ago, saying: We have a solid and united team which is growing game by game. The team has improved so much since June … it’s a completely different team.
Ghana s Serbian coach Milovan Rajevac was impressed and believes Angola will have a major say in proceedings.
I think Angola is playing modern and fast football and I think they will show a lot in the Nations Cup, he said.
At the 2006 World Cup Angola failed to make it to the second round after a 1-0 loss to former colonial power Portugal, a goalless draw with Mexico and a 1-1 stalemate with Iran.
At the 2008 African Cup of Nations they were beaten 2-1 by eventual winners Egypt in the quarter-finals after finishing runners-up in their first round group with draws against South Africa and Tunisia and a 3-1 win over Senegal.
Win, lose or draw in January Angola are already winners, according to Fernando Baptista Moutinho, executive director of Angola s organization committee in Huila, one of the match venues.
Regardless of what happens on the pitch, Angola has already won just by hosting the tournament, he says. -AFP
