Luanda – Midfielder Estrela and defender Jonas Ramalho hope that the national team will beat Eswatini in the group D match for Friday at the 11 November stadium, which will give them access to the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Speaking to the press this Wednesday at the end of the closed training session at the match venue, the players said that the team is aware of the importance of playing at home field and they are confident of winning.
For Estrela, who plays for Erzurumspor in Turkey, watching videos of their opponents has allowed them to create game plans with the aim of beating them.
He emphasised that the national team's matches against Eswatini (Friday) and Cameroon (Tuesday) are considered real finals.
Defender Jonas Ramalho, from Bahrain's Al Ahly, said that the team hopes to win both games and keep their chances of qualifying for the World Cup alive.
Gelson Dala, Jonathan Buatu, Estrela, Milson, Randy Nteka, Maestro, Show, Jonás Ramalho, Manuel Benson, Jordy Gaspar, Kialunda Gaspar, Keliano, Neblu, Langanga, Fredy, Lucas João, Mabululu, Dominique, Sandro Cruz, Cambila, Domingos Andrade, Pedro Bondo, Clinton da Mata, David Carmo, Depú and Gilberto, made up the team.
With two points, Angola come in fourth place in group D, led by Cameron with four points.
Cape Verde are second with four points, the same as Libya come in third place, while Mauritius are in fifth place with just one point and Eswatini are sixth with no points.
JAD/MC/MRA/jmc
