Before even leaving for the competition, the team will fly to France for a preparation period.
According to the Angolan Handball Federation (FAAND), the Pearls will leave for the "last stage of preparation in France on November 14th".
During the training camp in France, which will take place from November 15th to 25th, the team will play friendlies with the hosts France and the Czech Republic.
According to national team coach Carlos Viver, these preparation games are "very valid tests", believing that "they are enough to start the championship in good conditions".
"It's not long before the championship, we won't play against Spain. I can't explain why, but we will only have two games during the training camp, against France and the Czech Republic. These are very valid tests and I believe they will be enough to start the championship in good conditions", he said, quoted by Jornal de Angola.
The coach also said that the team is finishing 'oiling' the machine in physical terms, as the tactic is already internalized.
"The team is finishing improving the physical aspects. The tactical work has already been internalized. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all the players who participated in the preparation, especially this last group, regardless of whether they were on the final list or not, they performed fantastically", he stated.
It is worth noting that the call-up for the continental competition, which was announced this Tuesday by FAAND, is made up of 18 players, in a list where the lack of the names of Guialo and Venâncio stands out.
The players missed the call-up, one due to unavailability and the other due to injury, says Angop.
At 34 years old, Guialo works in the service of 1.º de Agosto. The athlete, who according to Angop is out due to injury, has a vast CV, made up of several awards, both individual and collective.
Playing for Dunarea Braila in the Romanian first division since 2022, Venâncio is 29 years old and has also won several titles, such as two African senior titles (CAN), among others.
Among the players called up to participate in the 26th CAN are goalkeepers Marta Alberto, Eliane Paulo and Helena Sousa.
Pivots Albertina Kassoma, Estefânia Venâncio and Liliane Mário were also called up, as well as right-backs Azenaide Carlos, Juliana Machado and Marília Quizelete.
Nairia Caquintas (left wing), Dolores Rosário (right wing), Natália Fonseca (right wing), Chelcia Gabriel (center), Helena Paulo (center) and the left sides Magda Cazanga, Bernadeth Belo, Vilma Nenganga and Setlvia Pacoal, equally make up the call list.
