Angola's goalkeepers train during the ongoing international break
Photo Credit: Federação Angolana de Futebol - FAF
Angolan veteran goalkeeper Hugo Marques has revealed the ingredients that secured the Palancas Negras qualification to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals.
The Petro de Luanda player said this exclusively to Pan-Africa Football when asked about his impression of the Angolan squad which sealed its place at the Morocco AFCON finals after frustrating fancied Ghana to a one-all draw on Friday to end the Black Stars journey. Marques attributed Angola's qualification to the inclusion of quality Europe-based players and teamwork.
Hugo Marques represented Angola on 21 occasions. The 38-year-old goalkeeper now plays for reigning Angolan club champions Petro de Luanda.
Photo Credit: Petro de Luanda
“I think it was the strength of the group. Now, Angola brought the big players and it made a big difference. [At the AFCON finals] they will fight for the quarters but first we have the CHAN [African Nations Championship],” the former Cape Town City goal-minder said.
The 38-year-old custodian cited players such as Milson, Zini and Bastos as the reasons that turned around the fortunes of the Angolans. Zini's 64th minute strike cancelled Jordan Ayew’s 18th minute free-kick goal for the visitors to ensure a share of the spoils in Luanda as the hosts took their tally to a healthy 13 points in Group F.
“Maybe it’s a mix of everything. I liked Milson, Zini and the return of Bastos was very important,” Marques added. “It’s different when your qualification is guaranteed. Ghana should have more ambition. Angola just played a normal game.”
The Black Stars will miss out on a place at AFCON for the first time in two decades.
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