Angola to host Messi's Argentina in friendly match

Lionel Messi (centre): Photo Credit: Argentina Football Federation.

Superstar Lionel Messi is reportedly set to lead Argentina when they descend on Southern Africa to play a friendly against Angola’s Palancas Negras on November 11.

The strength-building match will see Argentina bring the Inter Miami FC forward alongside other stars for the match, as part of Angola’s Independence celebrations, Angola News Agency reports.

The confirmation of the match came after Angola Football Federation (FAF) president Mr Fernando Simões visited Buenos Aires to finalise finer details with his Argentinian counterpart, Claudio Tapia, on Wednesday, April 29.

Speaking to FAF media, Fernando Simões confirmed meeting the Argentina Football Federation (AFA) counterpart, but fell short of commenting on the friendly with Lionel Messi and co.

“I had the honour of meeting with the President of the Argentine Football Federation, Claudio Tapia. It was a cordial and very productive meeting, where we discussed exhaustively possible ways of collaboration between the teams of Angola and Argentina,” Fernando Simões said.

“We believe that sharing experiences and taking joint actions can contribute significantly to the development of football in both countries. This approach reinforces our commitment to the internationalization of the FAF, as well as to the growth of Angolan football in all its aspects."

AFA has since released a brief statement confirming the meeting, saying it was designed “to promote sporting ties between the two countries for the future.”

The reigning FIFA World Cup champions have a busy calendar as they seek to seal qualification with matches lined up against Chile on June 6, and Colombia five days later.