From his international debut in 1995, Akwá represented Angola 80 times, scoring a record 36 goals. He played for them in three Africa Cup of Nations and captained the side at the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
Akwá has a brother, Rasca, who is a professional football player for Atlético Sport Aviação in Angola.
Akwá played for three football clubs in Portugal at the start of his career: Benfica, F.C. Alverca, and Académica de Coimbra. He.spent four years in Portugal before moving to Qatar where he had the most successful period of his career.
He spent seven years there, playing for three different teams in the Qatar Stars League. He played for Al-Wakrah, Al-Gharrafa and Qatar SC. In his time in Qatar he won the Arab Champions League, Qatar Crown Prince Cup and was the league's top scorer in 1999 with 11 goals. After leaving Al-Wakrah for the second time in 2006, he remained unattached until 2007, when he moved to Angolan club Petro Atlético. Akwá remained there for one season before retiring from professional football.
International career
Akwá won his first cap for Angola in 1995 against Mozambique. He accumulated 80 caps in total, scoring 36 goals. One was the winning goal that sent Angola to their first ever World Cup. He played in all 3 of Angola's games at the 2006 World Cup, but did not score, and they were eliminated from their group. Akwá retired from international football after the tournament.
Akwa is currently a member of the Angolan legislative assembly. He is interested in major developments in sports in Angola.
Honours
Qatar Stars League - Top scorer 1998-99 Arab Champions League - 1999 COSAFA Cup - 1999, 2001, 2004 Angolan Player Of The Year - 2006 Qatar Crown Prince Cup - 1999, 2000, 2002, 2004