A razor-thin defeat in Luanda
Four points separated victory from defeat, yet the performance of Congo’s senior women against Africa’s long-time queens of handball spoke volumes. Angola edged the opening clash of the Angola-50 tournament 25-21 on Sunday night, but the Congo bench applauded an effort that never looked like a mismatch.
The scoreline stayed tight throughout. Angola led 10-9 at half-time inside the packed Kilamba arena, their home crowd momentarily silenced each time the visitors answered back. A late three-goal burst from the Palancas ensured the hosts protected a reputation burnished by multiple continental crowns (Les Dépêches de Brazzaville).
Pressure from the opening whistle
Congo’s Diables Rouges pressed high from the very first possession, forcing two quick turnovers and a penalty save that set an uncompromising tone. Captain Prisca Mbakila later admitted the plan was to « disturb Angola’s rhythm before their back-court shooters settled in », a tactic that worked for long stretches.
The Angolans, coached by Vivaldo Eduardo, reacted with swift wing rotations, yet they struggled to build the usual double-digit cushion. Throughout the first period, goalkeeper Glorious Mvoula piled up reflex stops that drew approving roars even from neutral spectators.
When the whistle announced the break, Congo were staring at a single-goal deficit rather than the gulf many pundits had predicted, especially after ten months without a national training camp because of domestic calendar constraints (Radio Nacional de Angola).
A team rebuilt after ten months of silence
Coach Younes Tatby, appointed during the spring, insisted before travelling that « results matter less than attitude right now ». Speaking courtside after the game, he stressed that the squad has only been together for a fortnight, mixing experienced defenders with raw under-23 prospects from Pointe-Noire and Brazzaville academies.
Tatby pointed out that the short preparation kept his staff from installing a full playbook, making the close contest even more encouraging. « We are starting a new cycle. With this drive, we will be ready for the next two championship windows, » he said, thanking the Ministry of Sports for logistical support.
Several local analysts concur that maintaining regular camps will be crucial. The coach’s predecessor struggled to assemble players between club commitments; Tatby hopes the momentum of Luanda will unlock wider sponsorship and steady court time back home.
Diaspora talent adds fresh spark
Competition regulations limited each delegation to fourteen athletes, offering Congo a rare chance to blend Europe-based professionals and domestic standouts. Playmaker Grâce Ngoma, fresh from the French second division, orchestrated fast breaks that repeatedly caught Angola off guard.
Diaspora influence extended beyond tactics. Off the court, the mixed roster shared nutrition tips and video sessions, bridging gaps in conditioning and analysis that often separate elite leagues from emerging ones. « We learn from each other every minute, » winger Yveline Memona smiled.
Federation president Linda Noumazalayi, heading the delegation, underlined that scouting the diaspora is an ongoing strategy. « Our girls abroad remain patriotic. Each cap they earn inspires more young players in the quartiers of Brazzaville, » she told local press before boarding the flight to Luanda.
More than a friendly: what the tournament means
The Angola-50 competition honours five decades of Angolan independence, but for Congo it doubles as a dress rehearsal for November’s African qualifiers. Portugal and Lithuania join the four-team round-robin, guaranteeing contrasting European styles that will test Tatby’s defensive schemes.
Angola’s federation designed the format to grant maximum minutes while avoiding fatigue: matches every 24 hours, no knockout phase. Such scheduling suits Congo, whose players are still regaining match fitness after a stop-start domestic league season.
Local sponsors in Luanda offered each team closed-door training slots broadcast on web streams, giving Congolese supporters a rare chance to watch their heroines live. Early social-media metrics show spikes in views from Brazzaville suburbs, a signal that women’s handball may finally be capturing mainstream interest.
Eyes already on the next qualifiers
Tatby’s immediate aim is to sharpen end-game execution. The Angolan encounter highlighted lapses in final-quarter shot selection; fixing those details could convert near misses into statement wins against Portugal on Monday and Lithuania on Tuesday.
For the players, the larger picture is clear: book a ticket to the 2024 African Championship and, with it, a path toward Olympic qualification. « This match proves we belong, » pivot Ornella Massengo said, her voice echoing through the tunnel. « Now we must finish the job. »
