Luanda - Strikers Manuel Benson, from Burnley in England, and Randy Nteka, from Rayo Vallecano in Spain, are the main new additions to the National Football Team, called up today for the macthes against Eswatini and Cameroon, on the 7th and 11th of June, qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, in the United States of America, Canada and Mexico.
27-year-old Manuel Benson, who grew up in Belgium, plays as a striker (left winger) in the English Premier League, having scored 14 goals last season.
Benson played for several clubs in the Belgian championship, namely Genk, Royal Antwerp and Lierse, as well as in France, where he was linked to Zowlle.
In turn, Randy Nteka, also 27 years old, evolves in Spanish football, and stood out at Elche (2022-23) and Fuenlabrada.
From the squad, there is also emphasis on the integration of midfielder Domingos Andrade, from Felgueiras of Portugal, and the return of defender Cleyton da Mata, from Lyon in France, as well as the absences of Ary Papel and Bastos Quissanga, from Al Akhdar in Libya and Botafogo in Brazil, respectively.
Composed of 28 playerss, the call-up was also marked by the inclusion of only five players from the National Championship of the first division (Girabola), compared to the 23 who evolve oversea.
These are goalkeepers Neblú, 1º de Agosto and Landu Langanga (Sagrada Esperança), defender Eddie Afonso (Petro de Luanda), midfielder Megue (Petro de Luanda) and striker Gilberto (Petro de Luanda).
From oversea, coach Pedro Gonçalves called up goalkeeper Dominique (Étoile FC from Switzerland), defenders Cleynton da Mata (Lyon from France), Kialonda Gaspar (Estrela de Amadora), Jonathan Buatu (Gil Vicente), Jordy Gaspar (PAU FC).
David Carmo (Olympiacos), Sandro Cruz (GD Chaves), Jonas Ramalho (Al-Ahly Club) and Núrio Fortuna (Gent from Belgium) were also called up.
Midfielders Fredy (Eyupsor from Turkey), Maestro (Demirspor from Turkey), Show (Maccabi Haifa from Israel), Randy Nteka (Rayo Vallecano), Marcos Silva (União Leiria), Estrela (Erzurumspor from Turkey) and Domingos Andrade (FC Felgueiras of Portugal) are also part of the selection.
Completing the list are forwards Zito Luvumbo (Cagliari from Italy), Milson (Maccabi Tel Aviv from Israel), Gelson Dala (Al Wakrah from Qatar), Mabululu (Al Ittihad SC from Egypt), Depú (Gil Vicente), Lucas João (UmmSalal SC from Qatar) and Manuel Benson (Burnley from England).
The group's concentration and start of work is scheduled for the 27th of this month, in Luanda.
With two (2) points, Angola is in fourth place in Group D, led by Cameroon (4pts), followed by Cape Verde (4pts).
Libya is 3rd, with 4 points, Mauritius, 5th (1pt) and Eswatini is at the last position, with zero points.
The first and last time Angola was at a World Cup was back in 2006, in Germany.
JAD/VAB/CF/jmc
