Angola play down COSAFA Cup favourites tag

Angola have quickly adopted the favourites tag at the 2022 Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) Cup following an impressive 3-1 win over Comoros, in their opening game at the King Zwelithini Stadium. But Coach Pedro Gonçalves is cautiously optimistic.

With several local and international scouts watching from the stands, Angola turned on the heat as the early pace setters.

There is resurgence in Angolan football lately, and the target is also to get to the next Africa Cup of Nations, now moved to early 2024, having missed out on this year™s competition in Cameroon.

Gonçalves says he is still experimenting with a number of young players.

œOther players not debut tonight but it™s the second -third match on the senior team, so the team feature a lot of players less than 24 years, 25-23-years couple of them less than 20 (years) so I believe they have future and our mentality is that and I like it because really one of the players who debut tonight scored one goal, so it™s good for our motivation said Gonçalves.

READ:COSAFA hoping to revive local appetite to return to Stadiums

One of Gonçalves™ big regrets is not being able to select more players from local giants Pedro Luanda, who knocked out Mamelodi Sundowns in the quarterfinals of the CAF Champions League in April. The coach says it was beyond his control.

Angola returns to action again on Thursday to face Seychelles, who are on the back foot having lost 1-0 to Botswana.

Gonçalves believes that the quick turnaround means they have no time to think about being in a two-horse race with Botswana to win the group.

By: Mazola Molefe