Angola could become the new hotbed of African football, after a new peace deal was signed in Luanda.

Army officers of the government and the rebel group Unita agreed on Thursday to end 26 years of civil war.

The peace settlement could be the boost the country's football talent needs to flourish.

Throughout 26 years of war, Angolan football survived locally before Palancas Negras, the national team, burst onto the international arena in 1996.

But the civil war meant clubs had to be airlifted to inaccessible areas for league fixtures. The high cost of transportation was a heavy burden for clubs to bear.

With the conflict over, football in the southern African country should be able to reach higher peaks.

Achievements

Clubs like Sporting do Bie, Petro de Huambo and Deportivo da Huila could be relieved of their high travel expenses.

Previous expenditure on transport could be diverted to other ventures such as giving the national league, the Girabola, a multinational look, as they could import exciting players from abroad.

Progress in the domestic league could have a positive effect on the national team, which has made some notable achievements in spite of the war.

By pulling its resources together, Angola qualified for the African Nations Cup in 1996 and 1998 and the Under-20 national team won the African Youth Championship in Ethiopia last year.

And now that peace reigns, the authorities may even consider the ultimate adventure for the country's football fans - staging the African Nations Cup.