Angolan Youth and Sports Minister Jos Marcos Barrica has recognised in Leipzig, Germany, the debilities still visible in the Angolan national soccer team, but predicts good performances in the 2006 World Cup to be played from June 9 to July 9, 2006.

Angola Press Angop quoted on Sunday the Minister as saying in Leipzig where the World Cup 2006 draw was held and in which Angola was placed in Group D with Portugal, Mexico and Iran, the idea is not winning the competition but having a prestigious exhibition for the country and for Africa.

"We have spirit and this is what will make us play well", affirmed the Minister who returns to the country on Sunday.

In Angola, Marcos Barrica will receive in an audience the German Franz Beckenbauer, who jets in Luanda on Tuesday, December 13, in the ambit of a tour of African countries which qualified for the 2006 World Cup.

The former star of the German soccer, co-ordinator of the organisation of the event that his country will host, will hold various meetings in Angola with the football federation and other sports institutions.

Source: Xinhua