Mateus wants more challenges for his squad after they won three gold and two silver medals at the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Games in December.

This was their best ever performance at the regional event, which was held last year in Lilongwe in Malawi.

"We will work harder to create good mechanisms for the formation of teams that will be representing the country beyond borders," said Mateus to an Angolan newspaper.

"Congratulations to all of us. 

"Our participation in the SADC Games was very positive, because the lesson was well studied. 

"Despite being small in number, my athletes managed to get five medals, three gold and two silver. 

"That's pretty positive.

"I am proud of the bravery shown."

Fourteen countries compete at the SADC Games -  Angola, Botswana, DR Congo, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

"In the previous edition, we only had silver medals," said Mateus. 

"This time, we replaced silver with gold, which raises the esteem of athletes and the country."