Despite the fact that they lost 3-0 in Luanda, Benin are not a weak team. In fact, many consider them to be trickier than Uganda.
In that match, the players have to go into the match with the right attitude and the Palancas will certainly be hoping to have striker Manucho fit to play the match. A win will more than ensure qualification but a draw is the most probable result. If they fail to gain at least a point in that match, then the heat will be on! (on the coach Goncalves mostly!!!).

The other match against Niger will definately be easier if they get a good result in Benin. Niger have lost all their qualification matches so far and are likely to defend with all their might in the final match to gain at least a point.

If Angola lose to Benin, they will have to depend on Uganda failing to beat both Niger (odds: 1000-1) and Benin. In other words, Angola will be out of the WC in the preliminary stages!

The Palancas will certainly have to show more commitment and technique if they are to get a result in Benin. The excuses for failing to beat Uganda at home include the fact that the referees were late in arriving to the country, forcing the match to be postponed to the next day (it distracted the players) and of course the classic excuse “injuries to key players”.

My prediction to the Palancas next qualification match: Angola 2-2 Benin (more wishful thinking than prediction, considering Angola’s recent form)

As you might have predicted, the match against Uganda did not go too well with the public and the local media, with the coach Goncalves receiving most of the criticism (he must be used to it by now). Oliveira Goncalves is normally critised even when the team wins matches, so you can all imagine how much criticism he got now that the team actually lost!
All Goncalves could do was “promise” a win in the return match in Luanda next week.

For the Ugandans, the win meant that their team had improved in class and they celebrated on the streets when the match was finished. They simply showed that there are no small teams in Africa at the moment.
On the other hand, the Palancas showed a bit of arrogance in thinking they could go to Uganda and have it easy. They were on their way to losing 3-0 before Mantorras scored in the dying minutes of the match to salvage a positive goal difference and some pride!

The match in Luanda next week will be of extra importance for the Palancas as they will look to secure a place in the final round of the world cup qualifying group and at the same time regain some of the respect they had previously earned.
If they put on the same show like the one they put away in Uganda, then they can forget about the World Cup.

Mantorras came on for Love in the second half of the match. The striker who had not made an appearance for the national team for a couple of months, was brought on to spice the attack, according to Goncalves.
Midfielder Job and defender Jamuana also had a good match. Job continues to give Andre Makanga a run for his money, while Jamuana is keeping Loco and Airosa on the bench.
It is encouraging to see some competition on the national team (long gone are the days were the same players were selected to play for the national team in every match).

The victory was dedicated to former coach Carlos Alhinho (the first coach to take Angola to an African Nations Cup) who passed away on saturday.

The next qualifying fixture is against Niger away from home, on saturday.

The goal only came on the 92nd minute and was provided by Love Kabungula. The team did not look very impressive and credit to Mozambique who loooked like they could have sneaked in a goal at any point in the match. Mozambique were confident following their 1-1 first leg draw in Maputo.

The good news for the “Palancas” is that midfielder Job looks to be making good progress, and could soon be a key member of the squad.
The bad news is that the team looked very vulnerable without their usual first team players. More work is definately needed!

The Palancas will now face Zambia in the second qualifier. Zambia is likely to be a tougher opponent since a good part of their first team team plays in their country.

For a look at the team that took part in the match, follow this link

Kivuvu would be valuable to the Palancas given his experience, despite a young age. His final decision, could prove to be important for the future of the Angolan National team.

BBC Sport has an interesting article on this topic.

The interesting fact about this tournament is that only locally based players will be allowed to take part. It will be a great chance for players in Africa to represent their Nation in a major tournament. It will also give managers something to do, since some dont even live in the country they are managing.

Oliveira Goncalves will be able to test the players in the Girabola (Angolan league) and decide if they are good enough to represent the country in other competitions.
Angola’s first match, will be against the winner of the Malawi v Mozambique clash.

Some countries have decided to use only young players at the competition (its understandable in Egypt’s case), but I think Oliveira Goncalves would be wise to choose the best in the league (after all, Manucho was already 24 when he started to get noticed).

What are your opinions regarding this tournament?

Few details were disclosed about this match, making it difficult for an analysis to be made.
We can all assume however, that Diangi who plays for Omniworld (yes, I have never heard of this team before either!) had an unforgettable debut, scoring his first goal.

I will post more details if they become available later on.

This is the selected squad to face Japan and the clubs they represent:

Mario, Minguito and Eduardo (Interclube)
David and Santana (Petro de Luanda)
Loco and Bena (1 de Agosto)
Lau (Benfica do Lubango)
Nuno (ASA)
Ze Kalanga and Mateus (Boavista)
Diangi (Omniword)
Mendonca (Estrela da Amadora)
Marco Airosa (C.F. Fatima)
Machado (Anadia F.C.)
Edson Nobre (Pacos de Ferreira)
Manucho (Panathinaikos)

This will be a chance for the home based players to prove their worth to the team. I am looking forward to seeing how the team will cope without Kali organising the defence and how the midfield will perform without Andre Makanga, Figueiredo and Gilberto. It will also be interesting to see Manucho play without Flavio to support him.

He is absolutely right. He has successfully replaced Akwa with Manucho, and while goalkeeper Lama is not as good as Joao Ricardo was, he is still reliable (crosses aside) and he can still improve.

Here are a few names that Goncalves will hope to persuade to play for Angola (player ages are in brackets)

Kivuvu [20]- currently plays for NEC Nijmegen in the Dutch League (eredivisie). Has said recently that he is yet to choose which country to represent (what a dilemma!). Plays in midfield.

Nando Rafael [24]- same situation as Kivuvu (wants to play for Germany), only his hopes of playing for the German national team are fading fast. He plays for Borussia Monchengladbach as a centre forward.

Jerson Monteiro [22]- Plays in the MLS. Highly unlikely that he will be called up for World Cup qualification matches. He is a centre forward as well.

Centre forwards have less a chance of breaking into the National team due to Manucho and Flavio’s good form. Manucho himself failed to make the team in the World Cup even though he was already proving to be a great goalscorer. In other areas of the pitch though, new players will have a great chance. Figueiredo [36] the team captain is expected to retire soon. Replacing him will be challenging, especially because he is the team’s free kick specialist (everyone else is horrible at that) and he also slows the pace of the game really well.
Goncalves will also be looking to strengthen his defence. While Rui Marques and Kali are good, there is no great substitute on the bench. In fact if Marques or Kali picks up an injury, the team will be exposed to all kinds of vulnerabilities.