Angola's World Cup players meet mine victims
Saturday October 8th, 2005 has become a day in Angolan history as important as November 11th, 1975, its Day of Independence. The 8th of 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 field.
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 soccer that crosses the country. Soccer 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.
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 [soccer] 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 center 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 players 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 fields 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.
Click here to find out how you can help Angola recover from years of conflict
