By Mark Gleeson in Blantyre

Angola's new coach, Ismael Kurtz, says he will be calling up more of the Angolan contingent in the Portuguese league for future international matches.

Kurtz already has 10 Portuguese-based players in his squad for Saturday's match, away against Malawi in the quarter-finals of the Cosafa Castle Cup in Blantyre.

It will be the first international in charge of Palancas Negras for the Brazilian coach.

"But I am also going to find out about all the other Angolans in Portugal, observe them and bring them into the squad for future matches."

Kurtz had his first outing with Angola against Benfica in Luanda last Sunday, in what he said was useful preparation for Sunday's game.

Respect

Angola have a strong squad on hand, dominated by the Portuguese-based contingent but also featuring former Benfica striker Akwa and defender Paulo Silva, who previously played at Farense.

Both are now based in the Middle East.

Akwa, who will captain the side, said the Angolans were determined to reach the final again, after last year beating Zimbabwe over two legs to win their second Cosafa Castle Cup title in three years.

"We have beaten Malawi twice before but both matches were difficult for us and we have respect for them," Akwa said.

"But we don't want to leave here as losers."

Silent fans

The Angolans received a bye into the quarter-finals, as did Malawi, who were semi-finalists last year after upsetting Carlos Queiroz's South African side at the quarter-final stage of last year's competition.

A capacity crowd of 60,000 is expected at Blantyre's Chicheri stadium for the match, with Malawi's coach Kim Splidsboel urging supporters to back the side.

Malawi fans regularly fill the stadium, but generate little noise and have a reputation for turning on their own team.

"Angola will be the favouites but we can do well with the people behind us. Soccer should not be like a chess match. We need to hear the fans," said the Danish-born Splidsboel.

Saturday's winner goes through to the semi-finals in August. Swaziland have already qualified after their shock 2-0 win over Zimbabwe earlier this month.

In July, Mozambique play away at Zambia and South Africa host Madagascar in the other quarter-final games.