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2019 Africa Cup of Nations: Group E preview

By Liam Bekker

12 April 2019, Egypt, Cairo: Retired Cameroonian footballer Rigobert Song holds the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) trophy on top of an open top bus during a tour in the streets of Cairo ahead of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations draw, which to take place at the Pyramids of Giza. Photo: Hassan Mohamed/dpa (Photo by Hassan Mohamed/picture alliance via Getty Images)
12 April 2019, Egypt, Cairo: Retired Cameroonian footballer Rigobert Song holds the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) trophy on top of an open top bus during a tour in the streets of Cairo ahead of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations draw, which to take place at the Pyramids of Giza. Photo: Hassan Mohamed/dpa (Photo by Hassan Mohamed/picture alliance via Getty Images) /
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Angola, Mali, Mauritania and Tunisia will compete in Group E at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. Here’s what to expect from each side.

One-time Champions Tunisia are drawn in Group E of the Africa Cup of Nations alongside perennial dark horses Mali, first-timers Mauritania and the ever-unpredictable Angola. The North Africans will be favorites to progress to the knockout stages but Mali and Angola both possess the quality to pull the proverbial rug from underneath them.

Burkina Faso’s Bertrand Traore Bertrand (L) fights for the ball with Angola’s Bartolomeu Jacinto during the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying football match between Burkina Faso and Angola in Ouagadougou on November 19, 2014. AFP PHOTO /SIA KAMBOU (Photo credit should read SIA KAMBOU/AFP/Getty Images)
Burkina Faso’s Bertrand Traore Bertrand (L) fights for the ball with Angola’s Bartolomeu Jacinto during the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying football match between Burkina Faso and Angola in Ouagadougou on November 19, 2014. AFP PHOTO /SIA KAMBOU (Photo credit should read SIA KAMBOU/AFP/Getty Images) /

Angola

Angola are taking part in their eighth Africa Cup of Nations tournament. The Southern African nation’s most recent appearance came in 2013 when they were eliminated in the group stages while their best ever finish came when they reached the quarter-finals in 2008 and 2010.

Qualification

Having suffered an opening day defeat to Burkina Faso, Angola responded by winning four of their remaining five matches, including all three of their home ties. Srdjan Vasiljevic’s side scored nine goals in qualifying, seven of which came from the boots of Mateus and Gelson, and ended top of their group ahead of Mauritania on head-to-head goal difference.

The squad

While the majority of Angola’s squad play in the domestic league, a strong contingent of six Portuguese-based players have been selected for the tournament. Among these are the aforementioned pair of Mateus and Gelson who will lead the nation’s attacking line. Former Portuguese youth international Bruno Gaspar has also been included.

Angola’s preparations for the tournament have not been without incident as Visiljevic’s side recently withdrew from a pre-tournament friendly with South Africa. While official reasons for the withdrawal have not been given, reports cite a lack of training as the source of the decision.

Key player: Bastos

In an era where forwards draw all of the media acclaim, it’s refreshing to see a defender stand out and excel. Bartolomeu Quissanga, known simply as Bastos, is one such player and the 27-year old will have an important role to play in stopping the attacking talent on display in Egypt.

Bastos has made a name for himself in Europe where he has excelled in Russia with Rostov, and in Italy with current club Lazio. His experience at the highest level will serve him and his side well at the Africa Cup of Nations where they will be hoping to reach the knockout stages of the competition.

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