Angola coach Pedro Goncalves has laid down the country’s target at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations that kicks off in Ivory Coast on Saturday.

The Palancas Negras touched down in Cote d’Ivoire’s second largest city Thursday, for their 9th AFCON campaign with Goncalves revealing his mission to write history with the Angolan side in his own way.

“We have achieved our main goal, which was to qualify and come here. It is very important for Angolan football to be at the biggest tournament on the continent,” said Goncalves on arrival as quoted by CAFOnline.

He added: “We need to design new roles and it’s important for us in the group phase and think of qualifying to the knockout stage.”

Angola, who have been inconsistent in the AFCON as they have managed to appear just once in the last three editions, will launch their group campaign against 2019 champions, Algeria on Monday, January 15 at the Stade de la Paix in Bouake.