Bouaké – The Midfielder Beni Mukendi resigned from the National Team 24 hours before the decisive clash against Burkina Faso, on Tuesday (23), at 9 pm, at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium, in Yamoussoukro, for the third round of the AFCON’2023.
In the information, confirmed on the Angolan Football Federation Whatsapp channel, the governing body explains that the Casa Pia de Portugal athlete claimed to feel devalued due to his status as a substitute in the National Team.
According to the text, the 23-year-old player resigned from the National Team and left Bouaké, the stage for the Angolan group (D) in the first two rounds of the continental competition, which takes place in five cities in Côte d`Ivoire.
This is Angola's second lost in this African event, where the objective is to improve the result achieved on the Ghana'2008 and Angola'2010 editions, after the departure of Loide Augusto.
Regarding the case, the information is not uniform even within the federation.
After the coach said it was for disciplinary reasons, today there is talk of health issues and a possible desperate request from the athlete for help.
In addition to these two athletes, Angola is also deprived of the services of defender Núrio Fortuna, due to yellow cards, for the third and final game of the group stage, on Tuesday(23), at 9 pm, against Burkina Faso, at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium in Yamoussoukro.
Angola lead group D, with 4 points, the same as Burkina Faso, followed by Algeria 3rd place with a point and Mauritania, last without points.
CAF regulations stipulate that, of the 24 teams on the competition, 16 will move to the next round, that is, the first 2 of the 6 groups plus the 4 best 3rd-placed teams. MC/CF/jmc
