Angola’s national football team head coach, Pedro Valdemar Soares, says facing the Black Stars of Ghana in the upcoming AFCON qualifiers is not “about being afraid, but about being brave and challenging themselves.”
According to him, the technical team of the Palancas Negras of Angola, have a clear defined plan and the right mentality to become one of the biggest football nations in Africa and therefore playing against big teams puts them on the path of achieving their plan.
“I have been with the first team for 5 years, actually I think I am the second longest serving coach for a national team currently in Africa, I think the only person with more years thtan me as a national team coach currently in Africa is Aliou Cissé of Senegal.
“So we have a plan in our plan and mentality, we want to be part of the biggest football countries in Africa and if you have that mentality, you always want to face the better team and its a question about challenging yourself to play with the better teams.” He said.
He explained that, Ghana in his view is the third biggest football nation in Africa with only Cameroon and Egypt being better the West African country as Ghana can boost of having good players all over the major Europe League centers.
“Playing against Ghana is wonderful because Ghana has the third best national team in Africa, I think Cameroon and Egypt has a better story than Ghana and Ghana has players in the Premier League, Ligue 1, Serie A and all over the world.
“I come from Portugal and there a lot of good Ghanaian players in Portugal so it is a good opportunity for us and it’s not a question of being afraid but it is a question of being brave and playing football.” He said
Soares expressed confidence in Angola’s ability to qualify for the AFCON tournament, citing the talent of the team’s players and their dedication to the sport. According to him, Angola has good players that are passionate about the game, and they are determined to make Angola proud.
He however said he will be expecting good officiating on the match day.
“I expect we play a good football, I expect we meet a good team and for sure, Ghana will try to win, I hope the referee will be at the same level of both teams because we watched the last games of Ghana at home and a lot of things happens. So I hope all the two teams will get a good officiating to promote Africa football and this is my hope.” He disclosed.
Source:elvisanokyenews.com