Africa-Press – Angola. Yesterday, the National Amputee Football Team embarked via Istanbul to the city of Ankara, where from today begins, a 15-day pre-competitive training period as part of the preparation for the dispute of the XVI edition of the World Cup, in September 30th to October 10th, in the city of Istanbul, Turkey.
Before the trip, the coach of the National Team, Cheto Baptista, assured Jornal de Angola that the players are moralized for the upcoming commitment.
“The group is doing well and morale is high among the athletes. We talk to the players about anxiety and ask for responsibility for each one of them, because we are representing the country”, he said at 4 de Fevereiro International Airport, in Luanda.
For Ankara, followed by athletes Jesus Mateus, Sebastião Cachimba, Lilito Augusto, Pé Longo, Francisco Amaro, Celestino Elias, Rocha Manuel, Laurindo Lucamba, Hilário Cufula, Jesus Morais, Sabino António, José Candeeiro, Lucas Fungula, João das Dores Chiquete and Alberto Adeline.
In this group, Cheto Baptista will release one more athlete, leaving only 15. The player removed by the technical staff returns to Luanda, on the 29th, the date on which the National Team enters the place of accommodation, in Istanbul.
The coaching staff of the National Team canceled, on Tuesday, the training game with Uzbekistan following the preparation for the World Cup.
The match was initially scheduled for this Sunday evening in the Turkish capital, Ankara. This Sunday, the world champions face Ezimir FC, in the Turkish capital, as part of their preparations for the World Cup.
Next Tuesday, at the same place, the Angolans will play against Trabzonsport, to face Pendik SK on the 22nd of the current month.
The National Team will play, on the 24th of this month, the fourth and final private match against the Odtor team, at the Bulu sports facilities, in Ankara.
For the defense of the title, the National Team started the preparation, on the 27th of June, at Cidadela Stadium, with demanding physical work.
The National Team is in Group F, alongside similar teams from Uruguay, Italy and Iraq. In the opening round, on the 1st of October, Angola plays against Uruguay, at 19:00, at Arena Kocaeli, in Istanbul. For the same series, date and sports venue, Italy will face Iraq. The opening match of the World Cup is scheduled for the 30th of this month, at 7:00 pm, at Fenerbahçe Stadium.
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