Luanda - Technical and tactical aspects, embodied in ball exchange, passes and movements, marked today (Monday), in Luanda, the first training session of the National Football Team aimed at the game with Madagascar, for the CAN2024 qualifiers, in Côte d’Ivoire.
During the preparation, which lasted around an hour, held at the AFA field, coach Pedro Gonçalves focused his work on positioning, defence and attack actions, to overcome the opponent in Thursday's challenge, at the Tundavala Stadium, in Lubango, Huila Province.
With the presence of only 13 members, out of the 28 selected, the session, which began with the usual stretching exercises, was followed by slow running around the field, control of the ball, dividing the group into two and a small game of combined actions and attempts of scoring goals.
Preceded by a short lecture by the coach, it culminated with a return to normal exercise and an encouragement shout from the team, also made up of players Mabululu, Gerson Dala, Beni, Chico Banza and Keliano, who play abroad.
Of the home-based players, highlight goes on to Petro de Luanda players, namely Tó Carneiro, Eddie Afonso, Quinito and Megue, as well as from other clubs.
Kialonda Gaspar (Estrela da Amadora from Portugal) are expected in the country today, while the rest will arrive on Tuesday, the day the team leaves (9:00 am) for the city of Lubango, where they will train in the afternoon (5:00 pm).
For Tuesday, other players are to arrive from abroad as well, namely Depú, Buatu, Nurio, Paz, Estrela, Cadú, Lucas, Helder, Fredy, Zito, Milson, Zine, Rui and Ivan.
At the end of training, in the country's capital, striker Mabululu said to the press that, although still reduced, the group is determined to dedicate itself to achieving the victory against Madagascar and the qualification for CAN2024.
Identical position was expressed by his colleague Eddie Afonso, considering that they are all focused on achieving the goals of the Angolan team, regardless of any other factor that affects football in the country.
“Right now, we are imbued with a patriotic feeling and we will do everything to win the game and qualify”, said the Petro and nationl team defender.
Lubango's challenge refers to the 6th and final round of Group E qualifying for the African Cup of Nations (CAN), in Côte d'Ivoire, next year.
Angola are in second place in the group, with eight points, one less than leader Ghana, RCA is third, with seven, while Madagascar has only two. The National Team is made up of the following players:
(Goalkeeper)
Neblu (1º de Agosto), Kadú (Oliveira do Hospital de Portugal) and Gelson (Interclube).
(Defence)
António Hossi (1º de Agosto), Tó Carneiro), Eddie Afonso, Quinito (Petro de Luanda), Buatu (Valênciennes (France), Kialonda Gaspar (Estrela Amadora de Portugal)) and Murilo Fortuna (KAA Gent from Belgium).
(Midfield)
Rui Modesto (AIK Stockholm Sweden), Fredy (Antalyaspor from Turkey), Beni (Casa Pia from Portugal), Bruno Paz (Konyaspor from Turkey), Keliano (Estrela Amadora from Portugal), Megue (Petro from Luanda) and Estrela (Erzurumspor from Turkey).
(Forward)
Zine (AEK Athens of Greece), Mabululu (AL Ittihad Alexandria of Egypt), Gilberto (Petro of Luanda), Milson (Maccabi Tel Aviv (Israel), Chico Banza (Anorthosis of Cyprus), Hélder Costa (Leeds of England).
Ivan Cavaleiro (Lille from France), Gerson Dala (Al - wakrah from Qatar), Depú (Gil Vicente from Portugal), João Lucas (Shanghai Port from China) and Zito Luvumbo (Cagliari from Italy).
VAB/CF/jmc
