Oliveira Goncalves the architect of Angolan dream

JOHANNESBURG, May 25 : Angola's coach Luis Oliveira Goncalves is a new name on the international circuit but has gained iconic status in his own country with his achievement in guiding Angola to the World Cup finals.

The coach was at the forefront of a young generation who emerged almost unheralded to win the African Youth Championship in 2001 and went on to play at the World Youth Championship in Argentina the same year, where they finished top of their opening-round group.

Many of those players have graduated, like their coach, to the senior national side and have a close relationship with Oliveira Goncalves.

''It was a very important experience in my career. To be at a world championship, to learn, to meet and talk to colleagues from around the world and to see the standards was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,'' said the 48-year-old Oliveira Goncalves.

''I have coached at all levels in the Angolan Football Federation from under-16, under-17, under-20 to under-23 before I became national coach.

''This current crop of players has been with me since they were boys. Akwa (the Angola captain who was until recently playing in the Middle East) has been with me since he was 15 and I first coached Mantorras (who plays for Benfica in Portugal) when he was 12 years old. These are my boys.'' Angola's success in the African Youth Championship, which was hosted by Ethiopia in 2001, is one of only two trophies the country has won in international competition.

The other came in the Cosafa Castle Cup where Oliveira Goncalves took the team to success in 2004, winning the annual regional tournament for southern African countries by beating Zambia in the final on penalties in Lusaka.

Oliveira Goncalves came to the forefront with the junior sides of the Angolan federation, although he did the job initially on a part-time basis.

He was also employed as the coach of Luanda's police team InterClube, whom he took to the final of the African Cup Winners' Cup in 2001 where they lost to South Africa's Kaizer Chiefs 2-1 on aggregate in the deciding tie.

He had an unspectacular playing career at Club Sportivo Moata y Compania and started coaching at low-key Sporting Baciberra but joined the federation early after showing an aptitude for successfully working with younger players.

The coach, now a folk hero in Luanda, warns that a lid needs to be kept on expectations.

''Angola is a very young country still in the process of rebuilding itself after a long (civil) war. We only achieved independence 30 years ago and still have many difficulties to overcome.

''But despite all of that, we are a footballing country and we are going to work hard and be well prepared to put up a good show in Germany.

''It is historic, extraordinary...Angola has never been to a World Cup and this has really mobilised the people. It has brought them much satisfaction,'' he added.

He took over the senior side in December 2003 after the dismissal of Brazilian Ismael Kurtz and has amassed a record of 12 wins in 24 matches in charge. There have eight draws and four defeats.

Reuters