Ambitious Angola aim for top-three finish

Angola have been set an ambitious target of a top-three finish when they make a fifth consecutive appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Uruguay-born head coach Gustavo Ferrin and his assistants told the Angolan media that national football federation officials had raised the bar after a disappointing showing at the 2012 tournament.

The Palancas Negros (Black Antelopes) beat Burkina Faso, drew with Sudan and lost to a second-string Ivory Coast side to go out on goal difference after the first round in Gabon/Equatorial Guinea.

Being pipped for second spot by Sudan was a massive setback for the Angolans, who had travelled to central Africa confident of finishing group runners-up behind title favourites Ivory Coast.

The Antelopes face what appears to be an even tougher mini-league task in South Africa against the host nation, former champions Morocco and debutants Cape Verde Islands.

Angola confront Morocco in the second half of a January 19 opening-day double-header at the 90,000-capacity Soccer City stadium on the outskirts of the sprawling Soweto township.

It is a match likely to have a major impact on the final Group A standings with the Atlas Lions also desperate to progress after a first-round exit from the previous tournament. Local players dominate the squad and Ferrin is banking on their mental toughness, forged through years of civil war in the south-western country, to create a winning formula.

AFP