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| Goncalves leaves Angola at a crucial time [GALLO/GETTY] |
Angola coach Luis Oliveira Goncalves has resigned, just over a week before a vital World Cup qualifier with Niger, the state-run agency ANGOP said.
His departure plunges into crisis a team that surprisingly reached the last World Cup in Germany in 2006.
Angola are also hosts of the next African Nations Cup finals in 2010.
Shock loss
Angolan Football Federation president Justino Fernandes has told a news conference in Luanda on Saturday that Goncalves has asked to be released from his contract, which ends in December.
Angola host Niger on October 12 in an African zone Group Three qualifier they must win to stand any chance of progressing to the last phase of the preliminaries as one of the best second placed finishers.
The group has already been won by Benin.
Angola struggling
Angola have lost two of their last three qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, drawing the other at home.
Goncalves's assistant, Mabi de Almeida will take over as coach for next week's game with Niger in Luanda.
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