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Page last updated at 13:51 GMT, Friday, 3 April 2009 14:51 UK

Angola coach stays despite losses

Angola v Morocco
Angola have been beaten in a series of matches, including by Morocco

Angola's under-pressure coach Mabi de Almeida is to stay in his job, says the country's football federation.

But reinforcements to the technical staff will be made public in the next few days.

The announcement was made at a news conference in Luanda and comes despite a string of miserable defeats for the Palancas Negras.

Since Almeida took control of the team, they have drawn with Venezuela and been beaten by Mali, Cape Verde and Morocco.

Almeida's appointment came after the departure of Luis Goncalves, who took Angola to its first World Cup in Germany 2006.

But the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations hosts failed to make it through to the last round of qualifying for the World Cup in South Africa.

The national side is under pressure to improve its performance to avoid home embarrassment in January.

Justino Fernandes, the President of the Angolan Football Federation, reiterated today it was still the Palancas Negras' plan to win the tournament and defended the decision to keep Alemeida in post.

He said the coach needed to be supported.

Almeida has pointed to overseas clubs for not releasing Angolan players to take part in international friendlies as one reason for the team's poor recent performances.



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see also
Angola lose to Cape Verde
26 Mar 09 |  African
Angola short of 2010 hotel rooms
01 Apr 09 |  African


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