Africa Cup of Nations 2013: Air traffic controller joy at Cape Verde progress

Jubilant Cape Verde head coach Lucio Antunes says that it is mission accomplished after the Africa Cup of Nations’ smallest contenders booked a quarter-final place with victory over Angola.

It took Heldon’s injury-time strike to secure second place behind South Africa in Group A after Fernando Varela had cancelled out a first-half Nando own-goal in the 80th minute.

And Antunes – who has taken time off from his air traffic control job to join the squad for the tournament – claims his side have already reached their goal.

“My team and I dedicate this victory to the wonderful people of the Cape Verde Islands,” he said.

“Our objective at this tournament has been achieved. We wanted to reach the quarter-finals and everything now is a bonus and we’re going to enjoy it.

“We came here with the determination to win this game and from the first minute we worked so hard for that goal.

“Some people never gave us a chance but we always had belief. We always knew what we could do as a team.”

The islanders got the party started in the post-match press conference by showing off their dance moves in front of the cameras.

But Angola boss Gustavo Ferrin was left rueing what could have been after seeing his side concede two goals in the last quarter-hour at Port Elizabeth.

“It was just the last 15 minutes when we lost the match,” the Uruguayan said. “My players gave their all. 1-1 was a result that didn’t interest us and so we had to go for the kill.

“By opening up those spaces, we suffered.”