Jun 09 2006 04:42 PM
Angola:
*stamps*
Ah yes, at long last, the FIFA seal of approval that Angola has been seeking, unsuccessfully, since 1984. For the first time ever, the Palancas Negros (Black Antelopes) will be making their way to the World Cup.
Football has long been a popular sport in Angola, being brought to them during their colonization by Portugal. Interestingly enough, in their first World Cup game ever, they will get to face their former rulers as the face up against Portugal this Sunday. Will this give them extra motivation to win? Or do the effects of the colonial rule that ended just over 30 years ago in 1974 still weigh heavily on their pysche?
Of course, friendly matches between Portugal and Angola have, in the past, ended with Portugal easily handling the inexperienced Angola teams but Angola hopes this time will be different. With more on the line and with Angola embracing their underdog status, anything is possible.
Being the lowest ranked FIFA team to make it to Germany, the odds are long for them to win it all . . . or any game at all for that matter. The fact that they are even here is a surprise to most. Pulling both Nigeria (the favorites of Africa to go to Germany) and Zimbabwe in their qualifying groups, after having barely made it out of the pre-priliminary round, it looked as if they were going to have to wait another 4 years for a chance to make it.
However, strong defense and a great offensive effort by their captain and lead goal scorer Akwa led them to a 21 point tie with Nigeria in the final rankings of the African Zone Group 4. Having previously defeated Nigeria 1-0 in the final 6 minutes of the game on a goal by Akwa in June 2004, and drawing a 1-1 tie from them a year later, their head to head record crowned them the victors and granted them their passport to Germany.
People to watch:
As mentioned above, Akwa, their captain and leading goal scorer should be the focus of their offensive push . . . as well as the focus of the other teams' defenders.
Abreu's family fled Angola during the civil war that followed Portugal's exit from the country. He considers both Angola and Portugal to be his home and is torn by having to play them in the open game. Where do his loyalties really lie? The match tells all. . . 
The coach, Luis Oliveira Goncalves, took over for fired coach Ismael Kurtz during the pre-preliminary rounds after a poor 3-1 loss by the team in their opening match against Chad. He brought the team together and has led them this far and expects them to go even further.
Portugal
Mexico
Angola
Iran
