Africa-Press – Cape verde. Cape Verde ‘s senior men’s handball team faces Angola this afternoon at 14:30 , in a game counting for the quarter-finals of the African Cup of Nations (CAN 2022) that takes place in Cairo, Egypt. In case of victory, the national team will advance to the semi-finals and qualify, from now on, for the 2023 World Cup .
The technical team, players and federative leaders are aware of the difficulties in winning the Angola team, which, in addition to being undefeated in the CAN 2022 and winner of Group D, with 6 points, is one of the strongest in the competition and holds an important record. at the level of the African continent.However, it is believed that, from this Lusophone duel, which promises to be sizzling, Cape Verde can emerge victorious and also make history, as it would surpass the fifth position reached in the Tunisia edition in 2020.
“Our main objective is to beat Angola today. It is a big dream, but we believe that our boys have the capacity to be among the four African teams”, considered António (Tony) Teixeira, President of the Cabo Verdean Handball Federation, in statements to Rádio de Cabo Verde (RCV).
Avoid Egypt, the best African team ever
In addition to securing a place in the sport’s next World Championship (2023), the President of the Cape Verdean Handball Federation is keen to emphasize that today’s game with Angola has other motivating and attractive factors for the Cape Verdean team, as , in case of a victory over the Angolan team, in the semi-finals, the national team would not play with the powerful Egypt that is the best African team of all time.
“If we manage to beat Angola, in the semi-finals, we will avoid Egypt, which is the best African team of all time”, argued Tony Teixeira, explaining that, in theory, facing another team in the semi-finals, the Cape- would have a much better chance of reaching the final of the current African Cup of Nations (CAN 2022).Both the captain of the national team, Leandro Semedo, and the player Flávio Fortes, recognize the difficulties they will encounter in the match with the Angolan team, but are confident of a victory.
“We know it will be a difficult game against a highly regarded team, but we are prepared and confident that it is possible to beat Angola”, assured Flávio Fortes, convinced that the team can make history in this CAN and raise the name of Cape Verdean handball. on an African and global level.
Captain Leandro Semedo shares the same confidence and believes that, despite the distance, it is very important for the team to feel that Cape Verdeans are rooting for them. “We count on your support even though we are far from Cape Verde”, he stressed.
Road to the quarter-finals
The national team reached the quarter-finals after reaching the second position of group C, thanks to a victory over Nigeria, which was out of the competition as they also lost to Tunisia, first in the group with two victories. Kenya, which was also part of group C, withdrew from the competition.
In this CAN 2022, Cape Verde seeks to overcome the fifth position achieved in the previous edition held in Tunisia, in January 2020. The Egypt selection was the winner of that edition.
The African Cup of Nations (CAN 2022) handball runs until the 18th in the capital of Egypt (Cairo), with the participation of 14 African teams. The top five qualify for the 2023 World Championship of the sport to be played in Poland, from 12 to 29 January.
It is recalled that CAN’2022 was initially scheduled for January this year, in the Kingdom of Morocco, but was postponed due to the alleged irregularity in the draw held in December 2021.
Visit to the pyramids of Giza
Yesterday, Thursday, the national senior men’s handball team took advantage of the rest day to visit the famous pyramids of Giza.
Today’s Quarter Finals Matches, Friday the 15th
Guinea – Morocco 07:30 (Cape Verde time)
Tunisia – DR Congo 10H00 (Cape Verde time)
Angola – Cape Verde – 14:30 (Cape Verde time)
Egypt – Algeria 15H00 (Cape Verde time)
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