Saturday 8th October 2005 has become a day in Angolan history as important as 11th November 1975, its Day of Independence. The 8th October was the day that Angolan captain Fabrice 'Akwa' Maieco scored the winning goal against Rwanda, putting his country into the World Cup finals for the first time. For a country torn apart by almost 30 years of conflict, and suffering caused by the explosive legacy of landmines, the positive uniting force of football demonstrates to the outside world the potential of Angola, both on and off the pitch.
With the profile that being a World Cup team creates, media attention follows. MAG Angola recently hosted BBC Sports reporter Dominic Cotton and cameraman Steven Bie during their visit to the country. The aim was to report, not only on the national team, but also on the love of football that crosses the country. Football is played from the Cidadela national stadium in Luanda to the dusty pitches of Luena town, Moxico province.
However, Moxico is one to the two most contaminated regions in Angola, with 548 areas suspected of being affected by landmines or unexploded ordnance (UXO). These explosive remnants of conflict have caused fatal and non-fatal accidents, robbing both adults and children of their lives and limbs.
 |
|
Domingos Dala interviewed by |
For those who have lost an arm or leg in a mine accident, their future is not easy. Domingos Dala was one such victim.
"I started drinking excessively when I lost my leg in a mine accident. My prospects for the future seemed so dark," he said. "But joining the football team run by the Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation (VVAF) in Luena gave my life meaning again." The positive benefits of being part of the team as well as the support given by the VVAF centre were invaluable.
As part of the BBC visit, Domingos and two team mates, Caelos Isaco and Neves Sonhi were given the opportunity to visit Luanda to meet and play alongside the Angolan national team. The amputee footballers were taken to the team's morning and afternoon training sessions and were able to talk with the players. They also had a kick around with their idols.
This was a trip of a lifetime for the players from Luena, with the manicured grass of the national stadium a world away from the rocky pitches of their home town. For all these players, both national and amputee, the prospect of the World Cup finals in Germany fills their minds, providing motivation and inspiration for their playing.
.zg_div {margin:0px 5px 5px 0px; width:117px;} .zg_div_inner {background-color:#ffffff; color:#666666; text-align:center; font-family:arial, helvetica; font-size:11px;} .zg_div a, .zg_div a:hover, .zg_div a:visited {color:#990000; background:inherit !important; text-decoration:none !important;}
Back to top
