Angola’s Journey in the CAF TotalEnergies U-17 Africa Cup of Nations
Angola returns to the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations after missing the 2023 edition. They qualified by reaching the finals of the COSAFA qualifiers. With a history of struggling in past tournaments, Angola’s best performance was third place in 2019. Key players include top scorer Eliseu Sebastião Francisco and goalkeeper Gelson Joaquim Dala. Angola faces tough competition in Group D, targeting advancement amid formidable opponents.
Angola is set to return to the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations, having missed the previous edition in Algeria in 2023. This marks their fifth appearance since their debut in 1997, with their best finish being third place in the 2019 tournament held in Tanzania.
To qualify for the upcoming competition, Angola reached the final of the COSAFA qualifiers in Johannesburg in December 2024. Despite a valiant effort, they were narrowly defeated 2-1 by Zambia but secured their spot alongside Zambia and South Africa by finishing as one of the top three teams.
Angola’s journey in this tournament began in 1997, where they faced elimination during the group stages. Their subsequent participations in 1999 and 2017 were equally disappointing, with the breakthrough occurring in 2019 when they advanced past the group stage for the first time, ultimately finishing third.
Among the standout players is Eliseu Sebastião Francisco, who emerged as Angola’s top scorer during the COSAFA qualifiers with two goals. The 16-year-old midfielder has shown creativity and effectiveness in front of goal. Additionally, Gelson Joaquim Dala, the goalkeeper, received accolades as the best goalkeeper of the qualifiers, showcasing exceptional skills in positioning and reflexes at just 15 years old.
The U-17 team is currently led by Omingos Cristóvão da Silva, known as Mito da Silva, who succeeded Pedro Gonçalves as head coach. Mito da Silva has effectively begun his tenure by guiding the team through qualification. He emphasizes structured attacks while maintaining a strong defensive organization that makes effective use of counter-attacking strategies.
Angola is placed in Group D alongside former champions Mali and Côte d’Ivoire, as well as the Central African Republic. Advancing to the knockout stages will be a considerable challenge, given the reputation of their opponents.
In previous encounters, Angola has struggled against Mali, losing 2-1 in 1999 and enduring a 6-1 defeat in 2017. The Central African Republic, while newcomers, demonstrated ambition during the UNIFFAC tournament, promising a competitive spirit. Côte d’Ivoire is regarded as the second strongest team in the group, indicating that Angola must secure at least one favorable result against these formidable opponents to have a chance at progression.
Angola’s return to the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations symbolizes a significant opportunity for development and competition on the continental stage. With a mix of promising young talent and a strategically minded coach, Angola aims to build upon its previous experiences. However, the competition within Group D is steep, necessitating resilient performances to advance to the knockout stages.
Original Source: www.cafonline.com
Post Comment