Team: Angola

Only scraps to come from top table

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Coach: Luis Oliveira Goncalves
Captain: Fabrice Akwa
Winners: Never - debutante at this level
Pitted against: Mexico, Iran and Portugal
Prospects: None whatsoever, but a single victory would send the nation wild
Odds: 750-1

"After 30 years of civil war, to have qualified for the World Cup is a massive boost for our country and our people and our aim in Germany is try and make them happy and proud."

So said manager Luis Oliveira Goncalves after negotiating a path to the World Cup for the first time in Angola's history, writes Paul O'Hehir.

After 21 years of banging at the door, Angola have finally forced their way to the top table. The country, situated on Africa's south west coast, has had little to sing and dance about down the years, with previous highlights restricted to qualification for the African Cup of Nations in 1996 and 1998.

However, despite a squad lacking in household names, Goncalves, affectionately known as 'The Professor', has worked his magic on a team that appeared down on its knees on the road to qualification. In fact, in their first game, a preliminary qualifier against lowly Chad, Angola crashed to a 3-1 first leg defeat and there appeared no way back.

That defeat forced the removal of then manager Ismael Kurtz and rather than dwell on the negatives, Angola quickly moved to appoint Goncalves, who, like former Republic of Ireland manager Brian Kerr, had enjoyed success with the nation's underage sides. Rejuvenated ever since, Angola amassed an impressive run of results and topped their qualifying group - albeit on goal difference - ahead of African superpowers Nigeria who were eliminated in the process.

While Goncalves steered the ship from the touchline, team captain Fabrice Akwa pulled the strings on field. The 28-year-old striker - currently without a club - made his presence felt throughout the campaign but, crucially, popped up to score the winner against Rwanda last October that paved the way to the finals, putting paid to Nigeria's ambitions in the process.

"We have proved that Angola is not just about oil, war and poverty," Akwa said.

But Angola failed to carry through that form to this year's African Cup of Nations in Egypt. The side crashed and finished bottom of their group with one win, a draw and a defeat. Goncalves felt his defence looked fragile and inexperienced and, in an attempt to rectify this, pushed Fifa to allow Angolan-born but former Portuguese youths Pedro Emanuel and Chainho change allegiance in time to play in Germany. Unfortunately for him, Fifa turned down his appeal.

Another, perhaps more significant blow, is the loss of winger Gilberto who snapped his Achilles tendon when training ahead of the African Cup of Nations. His absence could mean a call-up for Jose Quitongo, the Patrick Thistle midfielder who, just two seasons ago, was plying his trade in the eircom League with Waterford United.

By way of easing themselves into the tournament, Angola, a former Portuguese colony, face Portugal in their opening game. If Goncalves can pull off the shock of all shocks, then the powers that be in the Angolan FA may have to offer the coach the lifetime contract his supporters feel he deserves.

World Cup Squad

Goalkeepers: Joăo Ricardo (unattached), Lama (Petro Atletico), Mário (InterClube)
Defenders: Delgado (Petro Atletico), Jamba (AS Aviacao), Kali (FC Barreirense, Portugal), Lebo Lebo (Petro Atletico), Loco (Primeiro Agosto), Marco Abreu (Portimonense, Portugal), Marco Airosa (FC Barreirense, Portugal), Rui Marques (Hull City, England)
Midfielders: André (Kuwait SC, Kuwait), Edson (Pacos Ferreira, Portugal), Figueiredo, Mendonca (Varzim, Portugal), Miloy (InterClube), Zé Kalanga (Petro Atletico)
Strikers: Akwá (unattached), Andre Titi Buengo (Clermont Foot, France), Flávio (Al Ahli, Egypt), Love (AS Aviacao), Mantorras (Benfica, Portugal), Mateus (Gil Vicente, Portugal).