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ANGOLA are courting African champions Zambia for an international friendly ahead of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations finals.
The Palancas Negras have also proposed warm-up matches against Mozambique and Tanzania to fine-tune for the continent’s premier soccer showpiece slated for South Africa.
Angola Football Federation (FAF) general secretary Antonio da Luz said the friendly against Zambia is likely to be played in Johannesburg, where the Chipolopolo have set a training camp.
According to the FAF website, Antonio Da Luz is confident that the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) will accept the request.
“We have made enquiries on the possibility of playing Rwanda, Mozambique and champions Zambia before the tournament kicks off. We believe playing them [Zambia] will help the technical bench gauge the strength of the team,” he said.
Angola’s 27-member squad comprising local players arrived in South Africa on Wednesday.
European-based players like Manucho (right) of Spanish side Real Valladolid and Turkish-based striker Djalma are expected to join the team later.
Angola are in Group A with hosts South Africa, Morocco and debutants Cape Verde.
Zambia have confirmed friendly matches against Morocco on January 8 in Johannesburg then host Norway four days later at Ndola’s Levy Mwanawasa Stadium before facing Namibia on January 18 in Nelspruit.
Meanwhile, Zambia’s Group C opponents Ethiopia have lined up three friendly matches against Niger, Togo and Tunisia ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations finals.
Ethiopia will tomorrow face Niger in Addis Ababa then meet Togo on Thursday before flying to Qatar four days later for their last warm- up match against Tunisia.
The Chipolopolo open their title defence against Ethiopia on January 21 at Mombela Stadium in Nelspruit.
