Coach: Filipe Cruz

Key Players: Geovany Muachissengue (Goalkeeper), Adelino Pestana (Right back)

Qualification Information: 2018 CAHB African Men’s Championship - 3rd Place (bronze)

History in Tournament: 1938: DNP, 1954-2003: DNQ, 2005: 20th, 2007: 21st, 2009-2015: DNQ, 2017: 24

In just their fourth-ever appearance at a Men’s World Championship, Angola can only look up after finishing in last place at France 2017. Position 24 out of 24 teams came after preliminary round losses against Slovenia (42:25), FYR Macedonia (31:22), Spain (42:22), Iceland (33:19) and continental rivals Tunisia (43:33). The first match of the 21-24 placement round then saw them lose 37:26 against Japan and then for 23/24 place, they were defeated by Bahrain 32:26.

With all the games clear losses, it was no surprise that coach Alexandre Diogo Machado was replaced by Filipe Cruz and like their successful women’s national team, Cruz picks from a team of predominantly home-grown players, mainly provided by the 1º de Agosto club.

Cruz knows the players better than anyone as he has a dual role as both club coach and national team coach although players are making their way abroad like centre back Edvaldo Ferreira, who plays in Egypt (Smouha Club Alexandria).

 To qualify for Germany/Denmark 2019, Angola won the bronze medal at the 2018 African Championships in Libreville, Gabon, after they beat Morocco in the 3/4 game.

They were completely outplayed by Tunisia in the semi-finals with a disastrous first-half performance which saw them score just three times to eventually lose 34:14 (16:3).
 

Angola throw-off their 2019 World Championship campaign against Qatar and then face Hungary, Sweden and Argentina before ending with a match against continental rivals Egypt – who they lost to in Gabon in the preliminary round 25:20.

“The group is balanced between European teams, the selection of Argentina and Egypt should be at the same level and the Angola team will, in their aspirations, aim for good performances and try to surprise,” said a statement from the Angolan Handball Federation.

“We aim to improve on our last result, but we know that we are in a very difficult group. However, we will do everything we can in a sporting sense to win our games in a way to dignify our homeland.”

Follow Angola at Germany/Denmark 2019 through their Facebook.

Group at Germany/Denmark 2019
Group D: Sweden, Hungary, Qatar, Argentina, Egypt, Angola

Games at Germany/Denmark 2019
All times local

Friday 11 January Angola vs Qatar (15:30)

Sunday 13 January Hungary vs Angola (18:00)

Monday 14 January Sweden vs Angola (20:30)

Wednesday 16 January Angola vs Argentina (15:30)

Thursday 17 January Egypt vs Angola (15:30)

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Photo: Angola Handball Federation