Angola is playing, for the first time in their history, at the World Cup, and defender Luis Delgado is happy to be part of this team.

“I feel enormous satisfaction just being here. It’s a great achievement to be playing for Angola in their first World Cup,” he told Reuters after a training session.

“I believe many players do not get the opportunity to play in such a tournament in their careers,” he added.

The chirpy defender said he would enjoy recounting his experience in Germany for years to come.

“It is such a great moment for me, for any athlete. I will be able to tell my sons and daughters and grandchildren that I have been part of this. It is a great moment of history for me and my country,” he said.

Facing former rulers Portugal in their opening Group D game, the coach has said that the most important task for the players is to represent Angola with dignity.

Delgado agrees but says it is not beyond the realms of possibility that the southwest African nation, considered one of the weakest teams in the group and the entire tournament, could go further.

“We will meet some very difficult opposition with tremendous experience but I believe that if we use all our strengths, we could progress to the next round,” he said.

“But you cannot take away from us the achievement of just being here at the World Cup Finals.”

Angola play Portugal on Sunday in Cologne before facing Mexico and Iran.

Source: WCoffsite