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At first glance, FIFA ranked 57th Angola don't seem to be much more than a footnote to the 2006 World Cup Finals. Indeed, debutants after six qualification attempts, the South West African nation are rank outsiders in a group containing powerhouses Portugal and Mexico, as well as veteran underdog Iran. That said, in qualifying, they've shown themselves to be capable of upsetting more established powers. Anyone with a passing interest in global politics will not be surprised to see the Angolans defeat the odds. That's another debate though, here's the table.

Team Played Won Drawn Lost Goal Diff Points
Angola* 10 6 3 1 6 21
Nigeria 10 6 3 1 14 21
Zimbabwe 10 4 3 3 -1 15
Gabon 10 2 4 4 -2 10
Algeria 10 1 5 4 -7 8
Rwanda 10 1 2 7 -10 5

(Angola win group due to their superior head-to-head record against Nigeria.)

FIFA ranked 11th Nigeria were heavy favourites to qualify and, as their goal difference illustrates, they were dominant in the group. However, a 1-0 defeat in the penultimate match (Angola took maximum points at home), coupled with the 1-1 draw between the sides previously, was their undoing. Zimbabwe, ranked 55th, never really got going in the group after a heavy defeat to Nigeria in their first match. Gabon (105th) can be reasonably satisfied with their recent progress in the African game, but were never contenders to make it to the Finals. As for Algeria (87th), how the mighty have fallen! The former power, who famously beat Germany at the 1982 Finals and competed well four years later (the first tournament Angola tried to qualify for) were a major disappointment, especially considering the success of North African neighbours Tunisia, Morocco and Egypt in recent years. Rwanda (94th), like Angola, have had more pressing problems in recent times than soccer. Maybe they can take heart from what the group winners have achieved.

Much of the credit for the Palancas Negras' resurgence must go to coach LUIS DE OLIVEIRA GONCALVES. Known as „The Professor‰ for his tactical expertise, Goncalves had no playing pedigree to speak of and rose through the youth ranks of the Angolan national sides. In 2001, his Under-20 side won an African title and made it to the knockout stages of the FIFA World Youth Championships. Many of the young players from that team are now in the national side and, as a result, the coach commands their complete loyalty. He also led Angola to their only other international success, the 2004 Cosafa Castle Cup, an annual tournament for Southern African teams. In the preliminary qualifying round for Germany, Angola surprisingly lost 3-1 in Chad; Goncalves was hired before the return match, which the Angolans won 2-0. That got them into the qualifying round proper, on away goals. The rest, as they say?

FYI, many of the Angolan players, like Brazil and Portugal, have abbreviations or nicknames on their jerseys, so I'll be referring to the shortened names.

The goalkeeping situation is an interesting one. The keeper with the most experience is JOAO RICARDO, who is currently without a club. Like many Angolans, he has experience of Portuguese soccer, particularly with Moreirense and his leadership qualities are valued highly by management. Second choice and man for the future is LAMA (Petro Atletico), a star of the 2001 youth side. Lama is known for saving penalty kicks and, while Angola probably won't be in a knockout situation, he may be the man to change the momentum in a group game. The third choice will be another youngster, MARIO (Inter de Luanda). He's the man in form, as his club (the Police team) challenge both domestically, and in the African Confederations Cup.

JAMBA (AS Aviacao) anchors central defence. A model of consistency, he's played in thirty consecutive internationals. He's been the pillar of his club side's run of success since 2002. He's likely to be partnered by KALI ALFONSO (CF Barreirense, Portugal), a strong player in the air who has the potential to be an attacking threat from set plays. His club teammate MARCOS AIROSA (CF Barreirense, Portugal) may be used as cover, should either first choice be injured or suspended. The right fullback slot will be manned by MANUEL „LOCO‰ CANGE (Primeiro de Agosto), another young and athletic player who displays attacking gifts. I fear he may be a liability defensively against players such as Portugal's Ronaldo but he is quick and has a good engine. On the left hand side is veteran DELGADO (Petro Atletico) who, like Brazil legend Cafu, seems to be as fit as players half his thirty three years of age. Delgado can play in the centre as well, but is unlikely to, given the lack of depth at fullback. Indeed, the other defenders in the squad are all novices with less than five international caps each. RUI MARQUES (Hull City, England) has played only once, in March against South Korea. MARCO ABREU (Portimonense, Portugal) has had injuries recently, but his ability to play on the left means he'll be in Germany, as will reserve LEBO LEBO (Petro Atletico). The lack of experience, beyond the first choice back four, is a major concern.

In the midfield, utility player MILOY (Inter de Luanda) is often utilised as a defensive shield. First team opportunities have been limited, but he may find more playing time at the Finals, when the squad is likely to be stretched. More likely, however, is that ANDRE (Al Kuwait, Kuwait) will be used in the role. A veteran of Turkish soccer, Andre is a good passer but his primary role is breaking up the opposition play. Further forward, inspiration may be required from FIGUEIREDO (Varzim, Portugal). Born in Angola, the civil war meant he was raised in Portugal. In fact, his debut in 2003 was the first time Figueiredo had set foot in his homeland in almost three decades. It was his goal, from a free kick, that earned the Palancas Negras their vital draw in Nigeria. I'm not being kind in describing the diminutive midfielder as a journeyman; he currently plays in the Portuguese second division and has, at one time, played in the third tier. On the right side, expect to see his club mate MENDONCA (Varzim, Portugal) at some stage. Mendonca is another player from the 2001 youth side. Attacking options will come from EDSON (Pacos Ferreira, Portugal). He's pretty versatile and is adept at defending as attack, though coach Goncalves will want to see him concentrate on creating chances. If further creative play is required, look for ZE KALANGA (Petro Atletico) to be introduced from the substitutes' bench. He's quick enough to cause problems to tiring defenders, and managed a goal in qualifying. Another, more exciting, prospect is MATEUS (Gil Vicente, Portugal) who impressed on his debut at the Cosafa Castle Cup, with goals against Mauritius and Lesotho. I have a feeling he may make the starting line-up, ahead of one of his more experienced colleagues.

Angola are taking five strikers to the Finals; three of whom have masses of experience. AKWA, though currently without a club, is captain and inspiration for the side. His record of thirty six goals in seventy seven internationals (three in the qualifying campaign) stands alongside any striker in the game, though early comparisons with Portuguese great Eusebio were perhaps a little much. He is incredibly strong and hard working which, added to his delicate touch, make him one of Africa's greatest ever players. A spell in Portugal (with Benfica) didn't work out, but his recently ended spell in Qatar was a massive success. Needless to say, it was his goal in the final match, against Rwanda, that assured Angola reached the Finals. He is usually joined in attack by FLAVIO AMADO (Al Ahly, Egypt). A creative forward, he likes to take on his marker and is an accurate crosser of the ball. His instincts in front of goal are also good; he scored three of his country's four goals in an otherwise disappointing 2006 African Cup of Nations Finals. First reserve will be ARSENIO LOVE (AS Aviacao), another member of the youth movement. He's used almost exclusively as a reserve, but he's a good option from the bench. If he can stay injury free (and out of the coach's doghouse), look out for MANTORRAS (Benfica, Portugal), one of the stars of the Angolan scene. A prodigy, he is one of the biggest names in the Portuguese league and starred in their recent return to prominence. Three goals from just eleven international appearances mean he has to feature, if fit. A knee injury has hampered him, but he returned for the final qualifiers, scoring against Gabon. A powerful option in the squad is final striker ANDRE TITI BUENGO (Clermont, France), a player who has played almost exclusively in his adopted homeland, except for a brief spell in Swiss soccer. Buengo has only been capped twice and is unlikely to see much playing time, but he's a battering ram of a player and could be one for the future.

As I said at the beginning of the article, Angola are unlikely to progress from the group. Indeed, if I were a gambler, I'd say they'll finish bottom of Group D, given the relative strength of Portugal, Mexico and Iran. I feel that they're just too weak defensively to match sides at the highest level.

However, for a team only founded in 1979, just being at the Finals represents a huge achievement for the former Portuguese colony, after all sorts of political upheaval and civil war. The fact that they play their former colonial masters in their first match adds spice to the whole competition. Given such motivation, the number of Angolans playing in Portugal and the latter nation's notoriety for being slow starters, there is a chance that the Palancas Negras could make their first World Cup Finals a tournament for them to remember forever. A shock win over Portugal and a win over Iran taking them through? I wonder what the odds on that would be.

Not that I'm a betting man, of course.

Next time, I'll be looking at the last of the participants, Togo. The Finals will be underway by then, so I'm sure there will be much to talk about in future weeks!

NEXT WEEK - TOGO

Steve Beagrie is the resident Football (that's soccer for the yanks) expert here at SFM. Check out his website at SteveBeagrie.com.


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