Luanda — The captain of the Angolan national senior males football squad, André Makanga, after Sunday's match against Niger, praised the engagement of his colleagues for what they did to achieve the team's main objective, which was winning the game.

Angola beat Niger by 3-1, in an encounter that took place in Luanda's Coqueiros Stadium.

André Makanga also said that since the result was not sufficient to qualify for the 2010 World Cup that will happen in South Africa, attentions will now be turned to the African Cup of Nations (CAN) to be hosted by Angola.

"Now we are going to work hard, preparing carefully for African Cup of Nations that Angola will host. We did our best, but unfortunately we didn't qualify", he said.

On his turn, Niger's national team coach, the Romanian Dan Anghelescu, said that the red card showed to his player Karim, destabilised the team.

"It was not necessary to expel my athlete in that situation. Thus, Angola as an experienced and competitive team were able to do a volt-face in the score disadvantage", he stressed.

Niger's manager promised to work harder to create a good team for the future.