Young African Player of the Year Pedro Mantorras has been named in the Angola side to face Nigeria in the African Nations Cup qualifier in Luanda next month.

Mantorras has not played for the Black Mambas since January, predominantly due to club commitments with his Portuguese side Benfica.

But Angola coach Ismael Kurtz included him in a 24-man squad to face the Super Eagles in one of the biggest of the opening encounters.

Mantorras is one of nine Portuguese-based players in the squad for the match at the Cidadela stadium.

However, Kurtz has dropped captain Akwa after his six month ban from the game imposed at his Qatari club Al Saad.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Goliath (Primiero Agosto), Lama, Marito (both Petro Atletico)

Defenders: Bodunha (Sporting Braga, Portugal), Chinguila (Maritimo, Portugal), Delgado, Dias Caires (both Petro Atletico), Kali (Santa Clara, Portugal), Renato (Petro Atletico), Yamba Asha (AS Aviacao)

Midfielders: Andre (Academica Coimbra, Portugal), Bernardo (Nacional, Portugal), Filipe (Primiero Agosto), Gilberto (Al Ahli, Egypt), Marcos Freitas (Salgueiros, Portugal), Sergio (AS Aviacao), Stopirra (Primiero Agosto)

Forwards: Avelino Lopes (Al Ahli, Egypt), Bruno Mauro (Pacos Ferreira, Portugal), Flavio (Petro Atletico), Lolo (AS Aviacao), Malamba (AS Aviacao), Pedro Mantorras (Benfica, Portugal), Mendonca (Varzim, Portugal)