AFCON: Angola keeper Marques sets knockout stage goal

Angola national team goalkeeper Hugo Marques believes they will have failed their nation if they exit at the group stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.

 

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Palancas Negras coach Patrice Beaumelle has already named his final 28-man squad confirming the group that will attempt to deliver the best-ever showing at the continental finals.

Angola must get as far as possible

Despite being drawn in a challenging Group B alongside South Africa, Zimbabwe and Egypt, Marques insists anything less than reaching the group stage should be termed as a failure from the team.

“We’re preparing to get through the group stage, and we think it’s possible. With a win in the group, we can get into the top third straight away, and that’s good,’ said Marques as quoted by Flashscore.

“At the last AFCON, Angola weren’t favourites in the group either and they came first, so that can tell you a lot about what’s to come in the Round of 16. Firstly, you could meet a third-placed team from another group.”

“We have to do our job and try to get as far up the group as possible. From what we’ve been doing, if we don’t get through the group stage, it’ll be a big disappointment.”

On how preparations are going for the 2023 quarterfinalists, he said: “It’s been good. We’ll have more preparation matches, but with the final squad. Everyone is hoping to go.”

“This is going to be the best AFCON ever, because Morocco is preparing to host the World Cup and we’re going to find excellent conditions.

“It’s going to be very well-contested. The players have come prepared, they no longer say no to the national team, they don’t ask to stay at their clubs to fight for a place and they come to the national team because they know that it is a huge showcase.”

The Palancas Negras will rely heavily on the potency of Gelson Dala, Zito Luvumbo, Mbala Nzola, Mabululu and Randy Nteka as they aim to break down some of the tournament’s strongest defences.

They will begin their journey against South Africa on 21 December, before facing Zimbabwe on 26 December and Egypt on 29 December.

Final 28-man squad

 

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Goalkeepers: Neblú, Hugo Marques, Dominique.

Defenders: Rui Modesto, Eddie Afonso, Tô Carneiro, Núrio Fortuna, Pedro Bondo, David Carmo, Buatu, Gaspar, Clinton Mata.

Midfielders: Beni Mukendi, Show, Fredy, Maestro, Kelliano, Mário Balbúrdia.

Forwards: Zito Luvumbo, Manuel Benson, Milson, Chico Banza, Gelson Dala, Randy Nteka, Ary Papel, Mabululu, Mbala Nzola, Zine.