The Angolan Football Federation (FAF) has issued a plea to businesses in the country, urging them to stop making personal phone calls and offering donations directly to players of the national team, the Palancas Negras.
This move comes amid the team’s historic quarter-final berth at the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The team is set to face Nigeria in the quarterfinals on Friday.
Angola’s stunning 3-0 victory over Namibia in the round of 16 sparked wild celebrations across the nation. However, the FAF is concerned that excessive attention and personal offers from businesses could disrupt the team’s focus during this critical stage of the tournament.
“The Board of the Angolan Football Federation-FAF informs all individual and collective people who intend to make offers to the Angola National Team,” the statement emphasized.
“On one hand, the FAF expresses sincere gratitude for the generous support of all those who have come out to express solidarity and supporters of the National Team.”
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The statement went on to highlight examples of how these distractions are affecting the players. It cited a video circulating on social media where a player was visibly uncomfortable receiving a call containing monetary promises.
“However, direct phone contact with players during periods of peak concentration to present offers or stimulus distracts and greatly draws the concentration of the National Team.”
