Angola will use their final two Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers this month to prepare for the start of the World Cup campaign in June, said coach Pedro Gonçalves, as he named a squad he feels will form the basis of their bid to qualify for Qatar.
It includes the former Portugal international Helder Costa, who has switched his allegiance, and Mbala Nzala, who is the top scorer this season for Spezia in Serie A.
Angola are bottom of Group D of the Nations Cup qualifiers with just one point from their four matches to date, effectively eliminated from the race for a place in Cameroon next January.
Angola face group leaders Gambia in Banjul on March 25 and then host Gabon at Luanda’s Estadio 11 de Novembro on March 29.
Angola share their World Cup qualifying group with Egypt Gabon and Libya.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Ricardo Batista (Casa Pia, Portugal), António Dominique (Petro Atletico), Hugo Marques (Farense, Portugal), Teodoro Tchissingui (Recreativo Caála)
Defenders: Anderson Lucoqui (Arminia Bielefeld, Germany), Bastos (Al Ain, Saudi Arabia), Diogenes (Petro Atletico), Joaquim Balanga (InterClube), Jonathan Buatu (St Truiden, Belgium), Kialonga Gaspar (Sagrada Esperança), Matwila (Petro Atletico), Mukoni Lourenço (Club Brugge, Belgium), Nuriu Fortuna (KAA Gent, Belgium), Payzo (Primeiro Agosto)
Midfielders: Anderson da Cruz (Rio Ave, Portugal), Fredy (Antalyaspor, Turkey), Giovani Bamba (Stade Lausanne, Switzerland), Herinilson, Mário Balbúrdia (both Primeiro Agosto), Show (Boavista, Portugal), Valdemiro Lameira (National Bank, Egypt)
Forwards: Ary Papel (Ismaili, Egypt), Fábio Abreu (Al-Batin, Saudi Arabia), Gelson Dala (Rio Ave/Portugal).Geraldo (Ankaragucu, Turkey), Hélder Costa (Leeds United, England), Jeremie Bela (Birmingham City, England), Mankoka Afonso “Benarfa” (Bravos do Maquis), M’Bala Nzola (Spezia, Italy), Vá (Pafos, Cyprus).
