• Penpix of Angola's World Cup squad

"I feel enormous satisfaction just being here. It's a great achievement to be playing for Angola in their first World Cup," he told Reuters after a training session.

"I believe many players do not get the opportunity to play in such a tournament in their careers," he added.

The chirpy defender said he would enjoy recounting his experience in Germany [Images] for years to come.

"It is such a great moment for me, for any athlete. I will be able to tell my sons and daughters and grandchildren that I have been part of this. It is a great moment of history for me and my country," he said.

'BIT BORING'

But Delgado, who has been with the Angolan squad in Celle, northern Germany, since May 20, admitted to feeling restless before the tournament started proper.

He said he missed his trips to the beach and to Angolan restaurants back home in Luanda, where he plays for Petro Atletico.

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"Here in Germany, after we've trained in the mornings and before training in the evenings, I just use my free time to rest and read a bit. It's a little bit boring but this is our life," he said.

"I'm missing Angola a lot at the moment because my family is still there and I'm not used to spending such a long time away from them," he added.

Used to playing in Angola's heat, Delgado said he had struggled with the cooler German climate. According to one member of the Angolan kitchen staff, the squad had also turned their noses up at German-style cuisine.

But Delgado said the specially-brought-in chefs were keeping the players satisfied with Angolan meals such as funge, a popular porridge-like staple made from ground corn or manioc.

"But we won't be eating funge before a game -- it's much too heavy," he laughed.

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS

The left back is well aware that all eyes will be on the competition and that European clubs in particular could be tempted to shop for some new African talent.

"I know that a lot of people will be watching. There are plenty windows of opportunity for us. We know that as players we are going to be exposed to the world," he said.

"Clearly, we will try to take advantage of this because it is the dream of every player to play abroad," he added.

Facing former rulers Portugal in their opening Group D game, the coach has said that the most important task for the players is to represent Angola with dignity.

Delgado agrees but says it is not beyond the realms of possibility that the southwest African nation, considered one of the weakest teams in the group and the entire tournament, could go further.

"We will meet some very difficult opposition with tremendous experience but I believe that if we use all our strengths, we could progress to the next round," he said.

"But you cannot take away from us the achievement of just being here at the World Cup Finals."

Angola play Portugal on Sunday in Cologne before facing Mexico and Iran.