Angola federation takes blame for AFCON failure, shields coach

The Angolan Football Federation (FAF) has taken responsibility for the Palancas Negras’ Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) failure while outlining long-term measures to right the wrongs.

 

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Addressing the media on Tuesday in Luanda, FAF president Alves Simões, as quoted by correiokianda website, admitted Angola did not achieve its objective in Morocco after failing to get past the group-stage.

“We didn’t do well. We recognize that we failed. We did not achieve what our objectives were. It is a situation that saddens us, but I will not give up,” Simões said.

He further shrugged off calls for his resignation and that of national team coach Patrice Beaumelle.

“When we make changes, it is in the sense of improving. There is no point in being here with intrigues, because I Alves Simões, will not give up the position,” he challenged as quoted by another website Veraangola.

“Whoever wants to take office, wait for the end of the term, and we will run again. As for the coach, as long as I am the president of FAF, and as long as Patrice Beaumelle is fulfilling what we defined when he was hired, he will continue.”

Taking his turn, FAF-vice president Alonso Cali boss said while it was not trying to make an excuse, other factors including limited time for preparations contributed to Angola’s AFCON misery.

“During the preparation, all things went well as planned from the first moment, management and technical team, but FIFA’s change to take a week from all the teams, from us, ended up harming us a lot,” he is quoted as saying.

What measures have the Angolan federation put in place after AFCON failure?

Simões then outlined measures to strengthen the national team including strengthening the flagship domestic league called Girabola. Another drastic measure to make the team strong will be maximum of only 25 foreign-based players considered for call-ups.

FAF also intends to make the second tier league stronger and competitive to act as a feeder of talent to Girabola.

Angola finished third in Group B, with two draws against Zimbabwe (1-1) and Egypt (0-0) and a 2-1 loss at the hands of South Africa, scoring two goals and conceding three.

FAF had set a target of reaching the quarterfinals of the continental competition. However, despite boasting an array of talent, the Angolans flattered and deceived as they bowed out without a win in three straight games.