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Angola’s football high point was qualifying for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, where the ‘Palancas Negras’ (Black Antelopes) put on a creditable showing. They drew 0-0 with Mexico and 1-1 with Iran after losing 1-0 to former colonists Portugal in their opener. It was the first and, thus far, only time the South-Central African country has qualified for football’s top tournament.

Angola will host the 2010 CAF Africa Cup of Nations. They have appeared in four Nations Cup tournaments before, with their best performance being in 2008 when they qualified for the quarterfinals. The Black Antelopes have won the COSAFA Cup three times (1999, 2001 and 2004).

Angola are presently coached by former Al Ahly mastermind Manuel Jose and play their home games at ‘Estadio da Cidadela’ in Luanda. Their most capped player and record goal scorer is former captain Akwa, who retired from professional football in 2008.

The country’s top flight league is known as the ‘Girabola’ and was founded in 1979. Petro Atletico from Luanda are the reigning champions and have won the championship a record 15 times. The next most successful clubs are Primeiro de Agosto (nine league titles) and Aviacao (three league titles).

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