Angola has cut down four players to finalize their 23-man squad for the African Nations Cup finals, keeping faith with new striker Guilherme Afonso.
The 27-year-old, who won two caps for Switzerland at under-21 level, had been a surprise selection by Coach Gustavo Ferrin and the subject of speculation in the Angolan press on Tuesday over his chances of making the final cut.
Angola however has seven European-based players in it’s selection.
Ferrin, who made the announcement at a press conference in Johannesburg on Tuesday, left out
Four home-based midfielders we left out during a press conference in Johannesburg on Tuesday announced by Ferrin — Ary from Primeiro Agosto, Mabina of Petro Atletico, Paty of InterClube and Ito from Progresso Sambizanga.
Angola would play Group A with hosts South Africa, the Cape Verde Islands and Morocco, who they meet for their first match at Soccer City in Johannesburg on Jan. 19.
The 23 man final Squad:
Goalkeepers:
Lamas (Petro Atletico), Landu (Recreativo Libolo), Neblu (Primeiro Agosto)
Defenders:
Amaro, Bastos (Primeiro Agosto), Dani Massunguna (Primeiro Agosto), Fabricio (InterClube), Lunguinha (Kabuscorp), Marco Airosa (AEL Limassol), Mingo Bille, Pirolito (both InterClube), Zuela (Apoel Nicosia)
Midfielders:
Dede, Gilberto (both AEL Limassol), Manucho Dinis (Primeiro Agosto), Manuel (AS Aviacao), Miguel (Petro Atletico)
Forwards: Djalma (Kasimpassa), Geraldo (Parana), Guilherme Afonso (FC Vaduz), Mauncho (Real Valladolid), Mateus (Nacional), Yano (Progresso Sambizanga).
Read also http://en.africatopsports.com/2012/12/31/afcon-2013-angola-first-to-arrive-in-south-africa/