Goncalves confident despite poor African spirit

Angola coach Luis Oliveira Goncalves believes Africa can still succeed in the 2006 World Cup and thinks his team have the ability to claim what could be the first victory for the continent against Mexico in Group D today.

The Ivory Coast could open Africa’s account by beating Holland in a match which kicks off just three hours before the Mexico-Angola game.

However, if the Ivorians fail to beat the Dutch, Goncalves believes the Black Antelopes can succeed where the Elephants would have failed.

Goncalves told a press conference in Hanover: “Mexico are a very good team and have come to Germany to win the World Cup. Their players have been preparing for this tournament for two months which shows how seriously they are taking it.

“We have watched their game and have observed their strengths but also the weaknesses and we will try to exploit their weaknesses tomorrow.”

Four of the African nations at the tournament are debutants and the quartet all lost their first matches – the fifth African nation Tunisia, who have previous World Cup experience, drew their opener with Saudi Arabia 2-2.

However, Goncalves does not believe the gulf is unbridgeable.

"Despite the fact we (Africa) have not won a match yet, the gap is not that big," said Goncalves. "Tunisia got a draw and there are still plenty of games to play. The difference is not impossible to bridge."

Angola skipper Paulo Figueiredo believes the Black Antelopes can take heart from their performance in the 1-0 defeat by former colonial masters Portugal in their opener.

“We have to still aim for a place in the last 16 while it is possible,” he said. “We did well against Portugal and we need to improve again.”