Angola’s futsal team is poised for their second FIFA Futsal World Cup appearance, driven by a renewed sense of ambition and a rejuvenated squad under the leadership of their Portuguese coach, Marcos Antunes.
As the team prepares for the upcoming tournament in Uzbekistan, Antunes’ innovative approach and deep connection to Angolan culture have been pivotal in transforming the nation’s futsal landscape.
In an insightful interview with FIFA.com, Antunes detailed his journey with the Angolan national team and their lofty goals for the World Cup. Antunes, who assumed the role in early 2022, has spearheaded a remarkable turnaround in Angola’s futsal fortunes.
Despite being born in Lisbon, the 48-year-old coach has strong ties to Angola through his parents, who emigrated from the African nation to Portugal before his birth.
“Angolan culture has been a part of my everyday life since I was born,” Antunes shared. “The music, the food. Every Monday we had funge, traditional food from Angola.”
This cultural bond has fueled Antunes’ passion for elevating futsal in Angola. Upon his appointment, he embarked on an ambitious nationwide scouting mission, traversing the expansive country in search of undiscovered talent.
“Angola has 18 provinces,” Antunes recounted. “First, I went from Luanda to Namibe by airplane. Then I went on a real rally – Namibe to Huila, Huila to Benguela, Benguela to Luanda by road. To give you an idea, from Luanda to Huila it’s 17 hours by bus.”
Though many considered this exhaustive journey “crazy” due to the logistical challenges, it has yielded significant rewards. Angola’s national team, once composed solely of players from the capital Luanda, now features talent from across the nation.
“Something that makes me really happy is that today, we have players in the national team from all the provinces: Huambo, Huila, Benguela, Cabinda, Namibe, so many provinces,” Antunes proudly stated.
The coach’s efforts have not only expanded the talent pool but also sparked a widespread passion for futsal throughout Angola. “The passion for futsal in Angola is huge now. Everyone is asking me for an Angola shirt. It’s amazing what you can make happen with a ball,” he remarked.
This renewed enthusiasm has translated into on-court success. Angola recently stunned three-time African champions Egypt to reach the Futsal Africa Cup of Nations final for the first time and secure their place at the FIFA Futsal World Cup in Uzbekistan.
Reflecting on this achievement, Antunes said, “Beating Egypt was fantastic. Egypt represents so, so much in African futsal. We know they have more history, are stronger. My biggest challenge was getting it into the heads of the kids that we could beat Egypt.”
One of the standout players in Angola’s qualification campaign was Helber, whom Antunes discovered during his nationwide talent search. “Helber was one of the chosen guys I found. He was outstanding at the [Futsal AFCON]. He’s one of the best players in Africa,” the coach praised, while also cautioning against complacency.
Looking ahead to the World Cup, Angola finds itself in a challenging group alongside Afghanistan, Ukraine, and Argentina. Despite the tough opposition, Antunes is setting ambitious targets for his team.
“Firstly, we’ve never won a game in the World Cup. I want to start from there,” he stated. “We want to make more history and win a game. And maybe this is too ambitious, but we want to fight to win every game and reach the knockout rounds.”
Antunes is under no illusions about the challenge ahead but remains confident in his team’s abilities. “We’re not thinking like little guys who are going to Uzbekistan on holiday. No. We’re confident. We’re going to play and to play well. We have 40 million people pushing us on. This will make a difference,” he asserted.
The coach’s optimism is tempered with respect for their opponents. On Afghanistan, their first group stage opponents, Antunes commented, “They have a very strong philosophy and great players who can make the difference. Let’s not forget that some great national teams aren’t going to this World Cup because of Afghanistan.”
He also acknowledged the strengths of Ukraine and Argentina, describing the former as “physical and have ability” and capable of “challenging any team in the world,” while praising Argentina’s fighting spirit and recent World Cup success.
Antunes’ work with the Angolan national team goes beyond mere sporting success. He views futsal as a tool for positive social change. “We’re making big strides. The passion for futsal in Angola is huge now. Everyone is asking me for an Angola shirt. It’s amazing what you can make happen with a ball,” he reflected.
With their newfound confidence and expanded talent pool, Angola is ready to make their mark on the global futsal stage in Uzbekistan. As they prepare to face formidable opponents, the Junior Palancas’ journey from a team concentrated in Luanda to a nationally representative squad symbolizes the broader development and unity within Angolan futsal.
Marcos Antunes’ visionary leadership has not only revitalized the team’s performance but also inspired a nation. His dedication and cultural connection to Angola have played a crucial role in this transformation, setting the stage for a promising future in futsal.
As Angola gears up for the World Cup, they carry with them the hopes and support of 40 million people, ready to cheer them on in their quest for success.
Photo: CAF Online
