Africa-Press – Angola. The Palancas Negras’ debut in the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign is being eagerly awaited. The coach of Académica do Lobito, João Pintar da Silva, foresees a good match between the National Team and the similar team from Cape Verde, at the start of the campaign for the 2026 World Cup, to be played in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The teacher of the Lobito students assured that he was confident, despite the absence of some experienced players.
“I’m hoping for a good performance from Palancas Negras. I know it won’t be an easy task, but I’m confident we’ll get a great result. There are absences of influential players in the squad, but I believe the coach knows how to turn things around”, he highlighted.
In line with the maxim, the only thing missing is those who are present, the coach expects a good attitude from those available: “I hope the team performs well in these two games, so that major absences do not influence the result”, he highlighted.
João Pintar foresees many difficulties in the game against the Cape Verdeans, but believes in the Angolans’ professionalism and capacity for suffering. “It is necessary for our athletes to approach the game as if it were a final”, he advised.
“We won’t have any easy games in the campaign for the World Cup. After Cape Verde, we’re going to Mauritius, so it’s important to approach the plays in the best way, we must be efficient in attack and focused on defense. Opportunities must be transformed into goals” , he highlighted.
He revealed that, as an Angolan, he does not think about any other result, which is why he defends the need to create conditions for the team to work calmly and carry out the preparation program smoothly.
“It is important that the players and the technical team only think about the game strategy and not about the administrative aspects, as has happened on other occasions”, he reiterated.
The National Team’s first and last presence in the World Championship was in 2006, in Germany, but Pintar believes that with organization and professionalism Angola can return to the world’s top circles.
“Opportunities only come with work. If we organize ourselves in all aspects, I’m sure things can improve. If everything goes well, success happens. Now, a lot depends on the will of the people who run Angolan football” , he stressed.
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