Luanda – Coach Pedro Gonçalves stated on Friday (11), in Luanda, that although some aspects still need to be improved, the National Team will continue to persist until the Angolan squad qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nation (AFCON) of Morocco.
Speaking to the press, after the 2-0 victory over Niger, at the 11 de Novembro Stadium in Luanda, in a match corresponding to the 3rd round of Group F, the coach said that there is a strategic plan, as well as the need to put it into practice.
Without going into details about the plan, he recalled that nothing has yet been achieved, even after the three victories and the isolated leadership of the group, with nine points. Pedro Gonçalves predicted a difficult match on Tuesday (15), in Morocco, the borrowed home of this same opponent, for the 4th round.
“We expect an extremely difficult, demanding and tough game from a physical and physiological point of view, so we will have to be ready to give a positive response”, he stressed.
Regarding Friday’s match, the Portuguese coach was pleased with the 2-0 result, but acknowledged the difficulties imposed by the physically strong and fast opponent in transitions.
Regarding the replacement of forward Gelson Dala, he explained that he was suffering from pain in the area that is still being treated.
According to the coach, the medical department created a strategy for the athlete to make his contribution for a few minutes. “When you get to the point,” he said, “things work out, all the players realize that they contribute to something with a sense of mission. And doing this as a team makes it easier, because they get involved body and soul”.
Angola lead Group F, with nine points, followed by Sudan (4) and Ghana (2). Niger, with just one point, is in last place.
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