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Angola 2-3 Benin

September 7th, 2008 | By: kiko | 12 Comments »

Angola lost their match against Benin in Cotonou and are now facing an early World cup qualifying exit.

Oliveira Goncalves opted for an offensive mentality, hoping to gain all three points. While Goncalves’ tactics and approach to the match were positive, it was the lack of experience in the side that led to the team’s downfall. As Goncalves claimed himself, the team “paid the price for being inexperient”. He also criticised the referee for disallowing a goal (ruled offside) that could have changed the outcome of the match.

Angola though, were not short of scoring opportunities. Santana had a one-on-one situation but his shot went closer to the moon than to the goal. Flavio however, was unlucky to hit the left and right post with his shot.

Benin scored first in the second minute of the match through Adenon, only for Flavio to equalise soon after. Omotoyossi then scored twice in the second half for Benin, and Loco grabbed Angola’s second goal with 12 minutes to go.

The victory puts Benin through to the final qualifying round. After a shaky start to their qualifying campaign, Benin have proved again to be a team on the rise. Congratulations to Benin!

On the other hand, following their defeat, Angola depended on Uganda losing against Niger in order to stand a chance of qualifying. Luckily for the Palancas Negras, Niger beat Uganda 3-1. Problem is, they now depend on Benin beating Uganda away in the final match. Benin will of course have no interest in beating Uganda as they are already through. Uganda will play their best to qualify and will have the home support advantage (remember how difficult it is to beat Uganda at home?). In other words, Angola now have a fat chance of going through.

I saw that result coming, I have to say. The fact that Angola conceded 3 goals, implies that there is something missing at the back.
While Goncalves’ tactics were positive, the squad selection was always a risk.

If I had to predict the outcome of Angola’s final group match against Niger, I would say that Angola would beat Niger. Question is, will that be enough? The Palancas can only hope for a positive result in the Benin v Uganda match, to have any chance of qualifying.

Tags: Angola, Benin, Flavio, Goncalves, Group B, Loco, world cup qualifying

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Comments

By scaryice | September 8th, 2008 at 3:47 am

The Uganda-Benin match is pretty meaningless to Angola as long as they beat Niger. If you’ll recall, the first tiebreaker is GD and not head to head. But the real problem for Angola is that they may not make it as one of the best 8 second place teams, as they’ll only have 4 points. So they’re still in danger, but not for the reasons you’re suggesting.

By Pedro | September 8th, 2008 at 5:53 am

I concur with you scaryice.
I am not so sure what was the rationale behind such a tricky formula.
I just think if we end up with with 4 points since the post achieved playing the bottom is rendered meaningless, it will be too little.
Right now we need nothing short than a miracle.

By Pedro | September 8th, 2008 at 5:58 am

However, if we do not qualify for the next phase, with all due respect for the excellent work that O.Goncalves has been doing in charge of the national team, I think is time for him to move on and let the palancas employ someone who may take us to the next level.

By Kiko | September 8th, 2008 at 10:46 am

According to the formula brought forward by scaryice, Angola depend on a string of small miracles in the other groups to qualify. This includes a win by Tanzania in their home match against Cape Verde and a goalless draw between Malawi and DR Congo. A very tricky formula, I have to say.

The points dropped in the home match against Uganda will now haunt Angola more than ever. It is close to impossible to qualify in this circumstances.

Now, regarding Goncalves, I have to say that I agree with Pedro in letting him go. He only has himself to blame for not selecting Rui Marques claiming that he prefered someone younger. After the result, he complained about the lack of experience in the side.

He is very likely to get sacked if the small miracle doesnt happen. He has done really well to lead Angola to the WC and ACN quarter finals. However, his mistake might have just done enough damage to cost him his job, as even some of his most loyal fans (including Pedro) have now had enough.

Posted from United Kingdom

By Rami | September 8th, 2008 at 11:37 am

That sucks! You guys are one of the rising teams in Africa and I enjoy your football. It’d be a real shame if you miss out not only on world cup but even on the African cup. I hope the miracle occurs.

Posted from United States

By Brad | September 8th, 2008 at 1:00 pm

Yeah, the formula for the 8 best second place finishes is a lot more complicated now…Thanks for nothing Eritrea!

Posted from Canada

By Lola | September 8th, 2008 at 2:06 pm

Wow, Kiko! Your post was really gracious. I sincerely wish Angola good luck through the rest of the qualifiers.

Posted from United States

By Rami | September 8th, 2008 at 3:26 pm

Wait what am I talking about. You’re hosting the African Cup! My bad. Still though, missing out on the world cup would suck.

Posted from United States

By Pedro | September 9th, 2008 at 4:20 am

Lol, kiko you are cracking me up:-P.
I am not his supporter(lol) but someone has to balance the myriad of views that people have of him:-P.
Kiko, Tanzania beating Cape Verde at home is not impossible at all in fact it fuels more hope in me as ours PALOP brothers are reknown for being bad travellers, in fact i’ll go on a limb and say c.verde is going to lose.
Malawi also have great ambitions of making it to the second phase so I am going to give it to the Blantyre brothers to save us some face.
Concerning the points lost at home against Uganda, oh how we need an extra point from heaven(lol)…however I believe bigger miracles have hapened before, therefore I still believe.

Posted from Germany

By shane | September 9th, 2008 at 11:32 am

It would be a shame to see Angola go out at this stage. But if they do I think you have to blame Goncalves because of his selections. Why you would leave Rui Marques and Ze Kalanga at home makes no sense at all. Goncalves has obviously done an amazing job but maybe a change is needed if they don’t make the next round. I think Angola still has a very good chance at making the next round though and if they don’t at least they are still in the Nations Cup as hosts. Also I will be starting up a Benin blog later this week in addition to my Guinea blog so anyone interested should be on the look out.

By Pedro | September 10th, 2008 at 4:47 am

Hey Kiko,
I’ve just looked at the most recent 12 qualification’s result table, unless I am calculating it wrong I think qualification to the next phase is very much feasible and this are my reasons:
Most teams who are in second place are:
1. Playing away their final games,
2. Most will end up on 4 or 3 points when you apply the formula to the scenario of each group, in which Angola will have 4.
3. We need at least 3 second places team to fall way and that is not impossible when you looked at the fact that we have 12 groups.
If I may request, perhaps on your next post you should analyze the 11 other groups and deduce the result that will be most desirable for an Angolan qualification to the next stage.
Thanx

Posted from Germany