Luís de Oliveira Gonçalves is the former head coach of the Angola national football team. A studious, tactically astute coach, Gonçalves was not a prolific player in his younger days, but has earned the nickname the "Professor" for his reading of the game, and is a popular figure in Angola for his efforts of turning round his nation's footballing fortunes.
Perceived by many as one of the weaker nations in the World Cup, Angola were paired with former colonial masters and Euro 2004 runners-up Portugal, then FIFA World Ranked 4th nation and seeds Mexico, and previous qualifier Iran in Group D. Despite predictions that Angola would be the whipping boys of the group, Gonçalves employed disciplined and organised tactics amongst his defence, and coupled this with a strong midfield and quick wingers both capable of retaining possession in the middle of the park and also launching pacey counter-attacks, with onus particularly placed on playmaker Figueiredo, wingers Ze Kalanga and Edson, and lone striker and national icon Akwa.
