Helder Costa reject Angola National team call up to AFCON

For many footballers, representing their national team is the stuff of dreams. To such, a successful career is not
complete without representing their national teams.

That is why when a player turns down a national team invitation for a major tournament, it makes the headlines. Irrespective of the reason behind the decision, the mere fact that a player said no, is newsworthy.

Angola’s Helder Costa is finding out the hard way. He has politely declined a call up to join the country’s AFCON 2023 squad.

The former Leeds United striker has cited a lack of fitness and playing time as his reasons for turning down the invitation.The forward has been without a club since leaving Leeds United this October.

Costa has not played any competitive match for Leeds since returning from his loan stint at Al Ittihad in May. All participating teams are expected to present their final list of players to CAF by January 5, 2023.

Angola have been paired with Algeria, Burkina Faso and Mauritania in Group D of next years tournament in Ivory Coast.

Story by George Opoku Boateng .
gopokuboateng@gmail.com . Ahotor Fm