Voigt on Angola: ''We are the underdogs in Group C''

LUANDA (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 African Qualifiers) - Despite Angola being the most decorated basketball nation on the African continent, newly-appointed head coach Will Voigt believes that Angola are the underdogs in Group C.

In his own admission, the 41-year-old American tactician insists this is the "group of death" among the four African pools featuring teams that were remarkable at FIBA AfroBasket 2017 where Angola were eliminated at the Quarter-Finals stage.

"WE SHOULD BE THE UNDERDOGS BECAUSE THE LAST TIME WE PLAYED AGAINST THEM, THEY BEAT US. EVERY TEAM WE ARE PLAYING AGAINST HERE WENT OUT OF THE GROUP AND WENT FURTHER THAN WE DID AT FIBA AFROBASKET." VoigtVoigt

Voigt, who signed a four-year contract to take charge of the 11-time African champions, is overseeing a rebuilding process for an Angola side seeking redemption after a dip in form at this year's AfroBasket where they finished outside the medal brackets for the first time since 1981.  

"This is a country that loves basketball. They expect us to win but when you see the world over, for example, the Boston Celtics had to be bad before they got great again. We cannot lose sight of the objective," the play caller explained. "There is great energy and a great attitude within the team. This is our home court and we want to do well for the fans who will come out to support us but we should not lose focus on our main objective.

"We are trying to build something bigger and long-term than just this weekend so we have to keep reminding ourselves. We have three big tests but we have to trust our system."

Angola find themselves between a rock and a hard place against sides that finished above them at the FIBA AfroBasket 2017 including Morocco (4th) and DR Congo (6th) while Egypt, who finished in 8th place below Angola are serious contenders. 

"Morocco won the game against Angola in Dakar at AfroBasket so that tells you right there that they are a quality opponent," Voigt pointed out. "They beat us so now they have the confidence that they can beat us so we are dealing with that. We also know that we are playing a good team."

However, Voigt is convinced that playing at home in front of the home fans will come in handy as Angola look to impress much in the same way they did back in 2007 when they last played in Luanda. 

FIBA