Luanda — Angolan striker representing Manchester United of England, Manucho Gonçalves is the main absence of the national soccer team that was summoned last Friday, here, for the match against Benin.

The encounter is a qualifier to the African Cup of Nations and World Cup of 2010, to be held in Angola and South Africa, respectively.

Apart from Manucho, other notable absences are of Mendonça, Edson Nobre and Marco Airosa, due to the technical team's option.

In the list of the 23 selected players, highlight falls to the debut appearances of Valter Manaia, of FC Barreirense, Fofana (1º de Agosto), Manuel Sala (Desportivo da Huíla), Dorivaldo Dias "Vado" (Benfica de Luanda) and Manuel Machado (Recreativo do Libolo).

The match, part of the 5th round of group III, is set for next September 07 in Cotonou, Beninese capital. In the standings, Uganda, Angola and Benin share the lead with seven points each, whilst Niger is at the bottom of the table with zero.

Speaking at a press conference meant to reveal the summoning, which happened at the amphitheatre of the Angolan Football Federation (FAF), national coach, Oliveira Gonçalves affirmed that the match will be difficult, but a strong team is being structured in order to obtain an away victory.

The following players will represent the country in the Cotonou task: Lamá, Santana, Job, Tunga (Petro de Luanda), Locó, Love, Fofaná (1º de Agosto), Nuno, Jamba (ASA), Amaro, Vado (Benfica de Luanda), Machado (Recreativo do Libolo), Minguito (Interclube), Manuel Sala (Desportivo da Huíla), Kaly (F.C Sion of Switzerland), Mateus (C.D Nacional Madeira), André Macanga (Kuwait Sporting Club) Dedé (F.C Paços Ferreira), Valter (FC Barreirense), Delgado (Metz of France) and Gilberto and Flávio, of Al Alhy of Egypt.