Angola to Learn from CAN Disappointment

January 30th, 2006 | by: WC Bob | Comments Off

After failing to advance from its group in the African Nations Cup, Angola is hoping that the experience of playing in pressure packed games will help its chances in Germany this summer.

Says coach Luis Oliveira Goncalves: ” “We tried with so much effort but we had no luck. We did all we could do but fell short. We had a lack of experience on the field but we will prepare well to overcome this at the World Cup. We got some good experience at this tournament, this run has been very good for us. We will try to use this for our World Cup adventure.”

One area that Goncalves will surely be looking to shore up in World Cup preparations is his back line. With the suspension of defender Yamba Asha and injuries to a couple more, the Palancas Negras gave its opponents way too many scoring opportunities in the CAN.

Still, all is not lost even after the disappointing exit. Goncalves and his boys know that they can still go to Germany this summer and bring joy to a beleagered nation.

“After 30 years of civil war to have qualified for the World Cup is a massive boost for our country and our people and our aim in Germany is try and make them happy and proud,” the master tactician said.

Amen