The President of Angola, José Eduardo dos Santos, is taking a 'hands on' approach to preparations for next year’s African Nations Cup and FIFA World Cup Germany 2006. After expressing concern about the lack of goals scored during their qualification campaign he has become involved in the training sessions of the national team.

Speaking to the press following a 40-minute audience with the president, coach Oliveira Gonçalves said, “The President is satisfied with the two simultaneous qualifications, but a bit sceptical about the attack sector that in his point of view scores few goals.”

During qualification for next year’s finals, the Palancas Negras managed only twelve goals in their ten matches – the lowest of any qualifying nation from the African groups. As a consequence President dos Santos decided to get directly involved, taking two training sessions and passing on his thoughts and suggestions to Gonçalves.

Commenting on the sessions Gonçalves stated, “During the two training sessions in which the president participated at Coqueiros Stadium I was not present, and now he explained to me what he saw and gave also a lot of suggestions, so that we can have a campaign with success.”

During the sessions, the president concentrated his efforts on the strikers Love Kabungula, Johnson Makaba and Zé Kalanga. However, he also spent some time working on shooting and crosses with the goalkeeper João Ricardo.

Angola will be attending their first finals in Germany next summer, having knocked out odds-on favourites Nigeria, and will be hoping to impress on the worlds greatest footballing stage. They will however have to produce some excellent performances, and goals, if they are to overcome Mexico, Portugal and Iran, their Group D opponents.

Bookmark/Search this post with:

delicious | digg | google | yahoo | technorati