There aren't many people in this world who would contemplate for even a second swapping a three week stay in sun-drenched Luanda for freezing Leeds in January, but Rui Marques is one of them.
The Luanda-born player is competing for his country Angola this month in the Africa Cup of Nations - and while fully committed to the national cause he is nevertheless keeping close tabs on events 'back home' at his club Leeds.
He told AFP: "I'm exchanging messages with some of my club teammates, I'm always aware of what's happening back in Leeds, and I'm really happy we've been doing so well."
The defender, who moved to Portugal as a youngster, is Leeds' longest serving player, having joined the club from Portugal outfit CS Maritimo in 2005 after a trial at Ipswich.
He has gone on to make 90 appearances for Leeds, emerging as a first choice back earlier this season only to subsequently drop down the pecking order for a starting place following his Achilles' heel injury sustained on international duty in September.
The 32-year-old has followed with interest and pride his division two club's sensational FA Cup third round win over Manchester United at Old Trafford on January 3, and is eagerly awaiting the fourth round date with Tottenham, albeit as a distant observer.
"I watched the game against Man U, it was fantastic. I believe and hope we can produce another good performance when we play Tottenham," Marques, who played for Angola at the 2006 World Cup, said after helping his country beat Malawi here on Thursday.
"Leeds are doing really well, there's a lot of confidence in the side, but Tottenham's going to be a tough game."
Given Leeds' current form Marques understandably has mixed emotions about his Nations Cup participation - but he feels he made the right decision to answer his country's call up.
"I'm enjoying myself here, I pushed to come," said the defender who was the victim of a bizarre hoax in 2008 that said he had been kidnapped in Kazakhstan.
He added: "It was a little difficult though as I had won a regular starting place at Leeds and then lost it when I got injured.
"The Africa Cup of Nations is a big tournament and as I wasn't playing for my club I was happy to come here - this is a big window for me. I want to help Angola go as far as we can."
Marques and the rest of the Black Antelopes gave their chances of qualifying for the quarter finals a major boost on Thursday by beating Malawi 2-0 to move on to four points at the top of Group A after their opening 4-4 draw with Mali.
He started in both games.
Angola's remaining first round game is against World Cup qualifiers Algeria, in Luanda on Monday.
Reflecting on Thursday's three points Marques commented: "We tried to win the game from the word go, but it was hard as Malawi defended well.
"But once we scored our first goal (in the 48th minute) we settled a little bit and chased the ball and began to control the game.
"We have another tough match against Algeria, but I believe if we do our best we can win it."
Copyright 2010 AFP Global Edition
