Captain Akwa is an idol in Angola

Fans go crazy - shouting, waving and making the thumbs-up sign - whenever they catch a glimpse of their hero.

And after dismal displays at the African Nations Cup earlier this year, Akwa is back on form and raring to go as the Angolans prepare for Germany.

"I was a little disappointed after the African Nations Cup. I expected to do more than I did," Akwa said.

"But I've learned from these mistakes and I'm preparing well and working hard so that if I get the same chances in the World Cup, I won't miss," he added confidently.

If I perform well at the World Cup I believe I can get a good offer from a good European club Akwa Angola captain

The former Benfica striker, who was released by his Qatari club earlier this year, scored the goal against Rwanda in Kigali which sealed Angola's spot in the finals and earned him the honour of Angola's top sportsman in 2005.

He was back to his usual goal-scoring self in April, getting a hat-trick in Angola's Cosafa Cup victory over Mauritius in Lesotho and putting the nightmare of the Nations Cup firmly behind him.

"This is the World Cup. It's another story. I believe I can go and do good things for my country," he said.

Akwa, 29, says Al-Wakrah Sports Club broke his contract because of disagreements over breaks to play for his country and he goes to the World Cup club-less.

"All players dream to play in one of the two best leagues in the world, in England or in Spain.

"I'm a professional and I will go where the work takes me but it is my dream to play in one of these two leagues," said the striker.

"If I perform well at the World Cup I believe I can get a good offer from a good European club."

With his stylish braided hair and designer clothes, Akwa is an idol in Angola, and counterfeit shirts bearing his name are selling like hot cakes on the street.

Proud of his country's qualification, he is enjoying the moment. But he is also ready to do battle and prove to the world that Angola's greatest football achievement to date was no fluke.

"We're not happy just with qualification," he said. "We're not just going to play.

"We are with the big teams in the world and we want to prove that our qualification for the World Cup was deserved.

"Our group is difficult. Portugal and Mexico are the favourites because they have a lot of experience in this kind of competition.

"Iran has been in the World Cup three times now, whereas for Angola it is our first time.

"But football can be full of surprises. We've seen this many times before.