Already-eliminated Angola will be playing for pride when they travel to face Libya on Tuesday afternoon in the final group game of African World Cup qualifying.
Libya themselves will have nothing to play for, having had their World Cup dreams squashed with a draw against Egypt last time out.
Match preview
After making their first and only to date World Cup appearance at Germany 2006, Angola have struggled on the international scene ever since.
A handful of African Cup of Nations appearances followed the 2006 World Cup, including their best-ever finish during the 2008 and 2010 tournaments where Angola made it to the quarter-finals.
However, they have qualified for just one Africa Cup of Nations since 2013 and fell short of making it to the 2021 competition set to start in January 2022.
Their efforts to qualify for the World Cup once again suffered a similar fate, with the Giant Sable Antelopes having only won one match during this campaign so far.
Surprisingly, their only set of three points came against Gabon, who were fancied before qualification begun to cause favourites Egypt some problems.
Instead, it has been Tuesday's opponents Libya who entered the final international break of the year best placed to derail the Egyptians, yet defeat to Gabon last time out meant they would not be able to qualify for the World Cup.
That defeat means that the pair will enter their Group F clash in the knowledge winner will ensure a third-placed finish, while the loser will end the campaign bottom.
For Libya, they will be hoping that they can replicate the 1-0 victory over Angola earlier in qualification – a result that at the time had sparked dreams of a maiden World Cup qualification.
Faring slightly better than Tuesday's opponents, Libya have won two of their five matches in qualifying, yet their points return has not been enough to see them challenge the top spots.
- W
- W
- L
- L
- L
- L
- L
- W
- L
- D
Team News
Sanad Al Ouarfali was an unlikely scorer in Libya's 2-1 win over Gabon earlier in qualification and the defender will marshal the host's defence on Tuesday.
Just behind the centre-back, Muhammad Nashnoush will be looking to secure a second clean sheet of the campaign, whilst Mohamed Zubya will be looking to add to his six international goals.
No player in the Libya squad has made more appearances than Faisal Al Badri, and the 31-year-old looks set to add to his 60 caps in the middle of the park.
Two first-half goals from Helder Costa and M'Bala Nzola had Angola dreaming of an unlikely win over leaders Egypt, before they were pegged back either side of the interval.
Costa is undoubtedly the most recognisable name within the Angolan squad and he will be looking to add to his first goal for the African nation since declaring allegiance from Portugal in March.
Elsewhere, Jonathan Buata is among the Angolan internationals with the most experience and the right-back will take his position out wide once again for the trip to Libya.
Libya possible starting lineup:
Allafi; Sherif, Sabbou, Al-Warfali, Drah; Rezk, Mohamed, Al Kjoja, Ellafi, Al Tohami; Zubya
Angola possible starting lineup:
Marques; Buata, Gaspar, Carneiro, Afonso; Bela, Estrela, Show; Nzola, Costa, Mateus
We say: Libya 1-2 Angola
Whilst there may not be much to play for in terms of league positions, this clash still has plenty of promise and both sides will be keen to end the campaign on a high.
Angola came close to causing an upset against Egypt and they are the side in form, making a victory for the Giant Sable Antelopes a likely result.
Top tip
body check tags ::
Previews by email
