Angola expect Maurito to be ready for World Cup squad

LUANDA, May 12 (Reuters) Striker Maurito is expected to make a return from injury today and will be available for Angola's World Cup campaign, Angolan Football Federation officials said on Thursday.

The Abu Dhabi-based striker is set to play for his title-chasing club Al Wahda in a United Arab Emirates league match against Al Ain today and if he comes through the match unscathed is expected to be named on Sunday when Angola's coach Luis Oliveira Goncalves announces his final 23-man squad for the World Cup finals, officials added.

It had been reported that Maurito had been sidelined for six months after allegedly breaking his leg in a clash in an Asian Champions League match, but Angolan officials said that after checking with his club had discovered that Maurito had only been told to rest for several weeks.

The 24-year-old has scored three times in 15 appearances for Angola, including a goal at the African Nations Cup finals in Egypt in January.

Angola are in the same group with Iran, Mexico and Portugal at the World Cup finals in Germany.

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