In a grand celebration of its 50th anniversary of independence from Portugal, Angola is set to host Lionel Messi and the World Cup-winning Argentina national soccer team as special guests this week. The festivities, which commenced on Wednesday, will feature an exhibition match between Angola’s national team and Argentina on Friday at the iconic 11 November Stadium in Luanda, named in honor of the country’s independence day. Reports indicate that Angola has invested a staggering $13 million to secure the participation of the reigning world champions. The Argentine squad is scheduled to arrive in Angola on Thursday, as confirmed by the Argentine soccer federation. The celebrations kicked off with a ceremonial event at Republic Square in Luanda, where President João Lourenço presided over the raising of a massive Angolan flag by soldiers. Angola gained independence on November 11, 1975, but the nation was soon engulfed in a brutal civil war that claimed the lives of an estimated 500,000 to 1 million people before finally concluding in 2002. Since independence, the oil-rich nation has been governed by the People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), the sole ruling party.
Messi and Argentina’s soccer team are special guests for Angola’s independence anniversary
