Angola plot for Uganda Cranes

By Fred Kaweesi

After collapsing to a couple of humiliating defeats at the hands of Uganda in previous starts to both the 2010 and 2012 World/Nations Cup qualifying campaigns, Angola are not taking anything to chance marching into the 2014 World Cup edition.

Angola have assembled a star-studded side, lined up three high-profile build-up matches against Zambia, Macedonia and Cape Verde, and organised a training camp in Portugal that will prepare the Palancas Negros ahead of their explosive fixture against the Uganda Cranes.

Although Angola overcame the Cranes with a 2-0 win in their penultimate 2012 qualifier in Luanda last year, the Southern African state need not to be reminded of the repercussions of their 3-1 and 3-0 defeats to Cranes at the start of the previous qualifiers in Kampala that almost cost them qualification.

For this, a number of the team’s stars that include Portugal-based stars Djalma Campos and Mateus Galiano have already arrived in Luanda ahead of today’s friendly against Africa champions Zambia at the 11 de Novembro Stadium.

Cranes coach Bobby Williamson is expected to name his Angola-bound team during today’s press briefing.

International friendlies, today
Angola v Zambia

May 23
Macedonia v Angola

May 26
Angola v Cape Verde

World Cup qualifiers,June 2
Angola v Uganda