Their last visit to Uganda, a 3-1 mauling, not being one to remember might explain it. They went about their business at Namboole in their final drills ahead of the 2012 Nations Cup qualifier against the Cranes without the necessarily displaying reckless abandon.

Everyone was a suspect, except themselves. And the ground they stood on. The Palancas Negras of Angola, or if you like, the Black Antelopes, have worked hard to keep themselves out of the public eye, momentarily forgetting they would eventually play before gathered 40,000 Ugandans.

They were due in the country on Thursday at 3pm but kept the Federation of Uganda Football Associations guessing until bed time. There was no official communication.

Pressmen ready

The Angolan journalists here to cover the match told this newspaper the team were actually still in the West African nation when they were supposed to be at Wankulukuku where they had been booked for training. This was some minutes after 6pm.

Booked into Sojovalo Hotel, Rubaga Road, they finally arrived at 2am aboard a chartered plane and only trained for an hour on Friday evening, preferring to talk only among themselves.

Nonetheless, we demystify some of them in this year's Nation Cup hosts squad.

Born 42 years ago in Aix-les-Bains, France, Herve Renard quit his Zambian job to coach Angola in April. He played for French sides AS Cannes, Stade de Vallauris and SC Draguignan. He's known for his attacking football mentality as coach, a contrast to his playing days as a defender. His coaching career has taken him to SC Draguignan, Shanghai Cosco, Cambridge United, AS Cherbourg, Zambia and now Angola.

At the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations, he led Zambia to the quarter finals for the first time in 14 years

Manucho Goncalves

This is one man to surely wreak havoc in Cranes defence. Born Mateus Alberto Contreiras Gonçalves 27 years ago, he is better known as Manucho.

He made headlines when he joined Manchester United from Angolan side Petro Atletico in 2008. Unfortunately, he failed to make the cut at Old Trafford. He currently plays for Turkish club Bucaspor on loan from Real Valladolid of Spain. Before playing a game for United, however, he was loaned out to Greek side Panathinaikos for the remainder of the 2007-08 season due to issues with obtaining a UK work permit. Manucho was not part of the Angolan team that were beaten in Kampala in 2008 but makes the side this time.

The FC Porto (Portugal) goalkeeper, full name Aldo Geraldo Manuel Monteiro, is one for the future. Turning 16 on November 30, anything like a game against the Cranes is a dream international debut for him. "This is a dream of mine since childhood," he said.

In Portugal since six years old, the athlete, whose parents stay in the province of Kwanza Sul, Angola, believes senior keeper Lama (Petro Atletico) and Wilson (1st August) have been helpful in his first call-up, advising him always. Kadu has already been 'prematurely' called to work alongside Brazilian Helton at his club.

Another man to watch out for is the Black Antelopes captain was called up to the 2006 World Cup and was part of the Angolan squad for the 2008 African Cup of Nations in Ghana. Born 31 years ago, Kali, full name Carlos Manuel Gonçalves Alonso, has turned out for Barreirense, Santa Clara, Sion, AC Arles-Avignon but now plays for 1 August in Angola. With 53 caps already, he is the experience Angola want against Uganda.