Angola skipper Manucho believes that his team's failure to fire on all cylinders at the Africa Cup of Nations is in part due to inexperience.
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The Sable Antelopes find themselves bottom of Group A after registering just one point - courtesy of a goalless draw against Morocco - in two matches.
Speaking after Angola's 2-0 loss to South Africa on Wednesday, the striker refuted suggestions that they were not living up to their potential.
"In 2006 [when we qualified for the World Cup] we had a lot of experienced players but that is not the case at the moment, the team is undergoing a rebuilding process," he explained.
"There are a lot of players that are playing at the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time so it is normal that with a bit of inexperience you begin to tumble a little bit."
The 29-year-old admits that his troops paid the price for a nervous start against Bafana Bafana, failing to ever find a real foothold in the game - but that their campaign is far from over.
"In Gabon last year, Sudan also qualified in this manner so let's hope it is Angola's turn," he asserted.
Angola rely heavily on Manucho's ability to find the back of the net - something he has not been able to do yet at this year's competition - and he knows this needs to be rectified.
"Obviously any goal scorer feels pressure because teams tend to mark them a lot and that is what is happening to me," explained the former Manchester United player. "It is up to me to respond correctly to that."
Julia Harris in Durban
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