Angola vow to score 5 goals past Uganda
Jun 17, 2008
THERE is a famous saying that revenge is a dish best served cold. Reports from Angola indicate the Palancas Negras are plotting to erase their memories of Kampala when they host Cranes on Sunday.
Fred Kaweesi
THERE is a famous saying that revenge is a dish best served cold. Reports from Angola indicate the Palancas Negras are plotting to erase their memories of Kampala when they host Cranes on Sunday.
While Cranes’ landmark World Cup qualifying 3-1 win over the Black Antelopes got rousing reports and opinions in Kampala, Angola faithful in Luanda were left livid.
“We felt embarrassed. The team has been kept in a secluded camp in Couferous. They really want to win this game with maybe five or more goals,†Angolan journalist Luisa Rogerio disclosed by phone yesterday.
The 2006 World Cup finalists are still reeling from the embarrassment and simply can’t wait for the return fixture that will have far-reaching ramifications for their reputation in the world of football.
Angola coach Luis Oliveira Goncalves has not for a minute let anyone think that victory on Sunday means more to him than anyone else after solely assuming responsibility for the defeat.
As the bald-headed coach beamed back at his media inquisitors yesterday, days after he shunned the post-match press conference in Kampala, he made it clear that amidst the anguish, vengeance was on his mind. “He has promised heaven and earth,†Rogerio revealed.
Good without Manucho?
Angolan Federation of Football (FAF) general secretary Augusto Silva “Alvarito†added that the team’s defeat would not affect the players.
Alvarito noted that despite Angola being in a new worrying situation— in qualifying terms—the technical team was doing its utmost to transmit to the athletes a message of comfort.
“Our players are professionals and endowed with an added experience obtained in international competitions. That is why they will do their best in order to get out of this disappointment.â€
While the hosts’ will welcome Al Ahly midfielder Gilberto back from injury, the Palancas Negras are struggling to contend with the absence of Manchester United-bound striker Manucho Mateus Alberto Contreiras Goncalves. “He is still sick. He could be out for about a month,†Roserio added.
Csaba plots
Cranes head coach Laszlo Csaba has vowed to uphold an attacking formation in Luanda, with two out-and-out strikers instituted to exhaust the Angolan defence that looked awful last Saturday.
“We will attack,†he said.
Countdown Angola v Uganda: Key battles:
Mwesigwa v Gilberto
IN Gilberto, Angola expects to welcome back from injury one of the components of their attacking ‘holy trinity’ alongside Flavio Amado da Silva and Paulo Baptista Ze Kalanga. The 24-year-old’s boundless energy, tackling and efficient use of the ball was dearly missed in the Kampala leg.
Gilberto has become one of the most creative and influential players at Egyptian club Al Ahly, where he has matured into a player of outstanding ability.
How much he will contribute to the Palancas Negras this Sunday will depend a lot on his health but largely on the composure of Andrew Mwesigwa.
Gilberto’s box of tricks has confounded many fine right-backs, but Mwesigwa — always a reliable and no-nonsense player — has a new-found air of authority at right-back and the stature to shut Gilberto’s door.
THERE is a famous saying that revenge is a dish best served cold. Reports from Angola indicate the Palancas Negras are plotting to erase their memories of Kampala when they host Cranes on Sunday.
While Cranes’ landmark World Cup qualifying 3-1 win over the Black Antelopes got rousing reports and opinions in Kampala, Angola faithful in Luanda were left livid.
“We felt embarrassed. The team has been kept in a secluded camp in Couferous. They really want to win this game with maybe five or more goals,†Angolan journalist Luisa Rogerio disclosed by phone yesterday.
The 2006 World Cup finalists are still reeling from the embarrassment and simply can’t wait for the return fixture that will have far-reaching ramifications for their reputation in the world of football.
Angola coach Luis Oliveira Goncalves has not for a minute let anyone think that victory on Sunday means more to him than anyone else after solely assuming responsibility for the defeat.
As the bald-headed coach beamed back at his media inquisitors yesterday, days after he shunned the post-match press conference in Kampala, he made it clear that amidst the anguish, vengeance was on his mind. “He has promised heaven and earth,†Rogerio revealed.
Good without Manucho?
Angolan Federation of Football (FAF) general secretary Augusto Silva “Alvarito†added that the team’s defeat would not affect the players.
Alvarito noted that despite Angola being in a new worrying situation— in qualifying terms—the technical team was doing its utmost to transmit to the athletes a message of comfort.
“Our players are professionals and endowed with an added experience obtained in international competitions. That is why they will do their best in order to get out of this disappointment.â€
While the hosts’ will welcome Al Ahly midfielder Gilberto back from injury, the Palancas Negras are struggling to contend with the absence of Manchester United-bound striker Manucho Mateus Alberto Contreiras Goncalves. “He is still sick. He could be out for about a month,†Roserio added.
Csaba plots
Cranes head coach Laszlo Csaba has vowed to uphold an attacking formation in Luanda, with two out-and-out strikers instituted to exhaust the Angolan defence that looked awful last Saturday.
“We will attack,†he said.
Countdown Angola v Uganda: Key battles:
Mwesigwa v Gilberto
IN Gilberto, Angola expects to welcome back from injury one of the components of their attacking ‘holy trinity’ alongside Flavio Amado da Silva and Paulo Baptista Ze Kalanga. The 24-year-old’s boundless energy, tackling and efficient use of the ball was dearly missed in the Kampala leg.
Gilberto has become one of the most creative and influential players at Egyptian club Al Ahly, where he has matured into a player of outstanding ability.
How much he will contribute to the Palancas Negras this Sunday will depend a lot on his health but largely on the composure of Andrew Mwesigwa.
Gilberto’s box of tricks has confounded many fine right-backs, but Mwesigwa — always a reliable and no-nonsense player — has a new-found air of authority at right-back and the stature to shut Gilberto’s door.