Angola national football team facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Angola

Nickname(s)	Palancas Negras (Black Sable antelopes)
Association	Federação Angolana de Futebol (FAF)
Confederation	CAF (Africa)
Sub-confederation	COSAFA (Southern Africa)
Head coach	Pedro Gonçalves
Captain	Fredy
Most caps	Flávio (91)
Top scorer	Akwá (39)
Home stadium	Estádio 11 de Novembro
FIFA code	ANG
First colours Second colours Third colours
FIFA ranking
Current	125 (7 February 2019)
Highest	45 (July 2000)
Lowest	147 (March 2017)
Elo ranking
Current	129 24 (3 March 2019)
Highest	50 (September–October 2006)
Lowest	160 (3 September 2016)
First international
Congo 3–2 Angola (Brazzaville, Congo; 8 February 1976)
Biggest win
Angola 7–1 Swaziland  (Luanda, Angola; 23 April 2000)
Biggest defeat
Portugal 6–0 Angola (Lisbon, Portugal; 23 March 1989)
World Cup
Appearances	1 (first in 2006)
Best result	Group stage (2006)
Africa Cup of Nations
Appearances	10 (first in 1996)
Best result	Quarter-finals (2008, 2010, 2023)
African Nations Championship
Appearances	3 (first in 2011)
Best result	Runners-up (2011)
COSAFA Cup
Appearances	18 (first in 1998)
Best result	Champions (1999, 2001, 2004, 2024, 2025)
Medal record CAF African Nations Championship Silver 2011 Sudan Team COSAFA Cup Gold 1999 Southern Africa Gold 2001 Southern Africa Gold 2004 Southern Africa Gold 2024 South Africa Gold 2025 South Africa Silver 2006 Southern Africa Bronze 1998 Southern Africa
Website	faf.co.ao

The Angola national football team is the official men's football team for Angola. They are often called the Palancas Negras, which means "Black Sable Antelopes". This team is part of FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

Angola's highest ever FIFA ranking was 45th in July 2000. Their biggest achievement was playing in the 2006 World Cup. This was their first and only time reaching the World Cup finals.

Team History

Angola played their very first football match against Congo on February 8, 1976. They lost that game 3–2. Their first game against a team from outside Africa was on June 26, 1977, when they beat Cuba 1–0.

Angola first tried to qualify for the FIFA World Cup in 1986. They won against Senegal in the first round. However, they then lost to Algeria by a small margin.

The team first qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations in 1996. They played against strong teams like South Africa, Egypt, and Cameroon. They didn't make it past the first round that year. They also played in the 1998 tournament but again didn't advance.

In the 2006 African Nations Cup, Angola got their first win in the tournament, beating Togo 3–2. Their best performance in the Africa Cup of Nations came in 2008 and 2010, when they reached the quarter-finals. They also made it to the quarter-finals in 2023.

Angola has also won the COSAFA Cup several times, in 1999, 2001, 2004, 2024, and 2025.

Playing in the 2006 FIFA World Cup

Angola made history by qualifying for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany. They only lost one game during the qualifying matches, finishing ahead of strong teams like Nigeria.

For the World Cup, Angola's coach got advice from famous manager José Mourinho. Key players like Akwá, João Ricardo, Paulo Figueiredo, Flávio Amado, and Jamba were part of this special team.

In the World Cup, Angola's first game was against Portugal. Portugal won 1–0. The atmosphere was very friendly because of the close ties between Angola and Portugal. Angola then drew 0–0 with Mexico. In their final group game, they drew 1–1 with Iran. Even though they only lost one game, Angola did not move on to the next round.

Fans of the Angola national football team in Cologne, Germany.

After the 2006 World Cup

After the 2006 World Cup, many experienced players retired. Even so, people hoped Angola would qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. Angola won their first two qualifying matches but missed out on the next round by just two points.

Hosting the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations

Angola hosted the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations. In their first game, they had an exciting 4–4 draw with Mali, after being ahead 4–0. They then beat Malawi 2–0 and drew 0–0 with Algeria, finishing first in their group. They were knocked out in the quarter-finals by Ghana, losing 1–0.

Team Uniforms

The Angolan team has had different kit (uniform) manufacturers over the years. Here's a list:

Kit providers	Period
Hummel	1992–1994
Olympic	1995–1996
Adidas	1997–1999
Devis	2000–2001
Saillev	2002–2003
Olympic	2004–2006
Puma	2006–2012
Adidas	2012–2018
Puma	2018–2019
Lacatoni	2019–2024

Recent Matches and Future Games

The team has been very active recently. In July 2024, Angola won the 2024 COSAFA Cup, beating Seychelles, Lesotho, Comoros, and Namibia. They continued their winning streak in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers, winning against Ghana, Sudan, and Niger. They also won the 2025 COSAFA Cup in June 2025, defeating South Africa in the final.

Here are some of their upcoming matches:

• September 2025: FIFA World Cup Qualifiers against Libya and Mauritius.
• October 2025: FIFA World Cup Qualifiers against Eswatini and Cameroon.
• November 2025: A friendly match against Brazil.
• December 2025: Africa Cup of Nations matches against South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Egypt.

Coaching Staff

The team has a group of coaches and staff who help the players.

Head coach	Pedro Gonçalves
Assistant coaches	Jorge Kamulete António Luvumbo
Goalkeeping coach	Luís Tchikumbi
Fitness coach	Justino Ndongo
Match analyst	José Kivela
Doctors	Dr. Filipe Mavungu Dr. Ricardo Kwanza
Physiotherapists	Salomão Kafala Marcolino Ndala Francisco Lueji João Nguvulu
Team coordinator	Tomás Nganga
Technical director	Tiago Mvulu

Coaching History

Many coaches have led the Angolan national team over the years.

Team Players

Current Squad

These are the players who were chosen for the 2025 COSAFA Cup in June 2025. The numbers for games played (caps) and goals scored are correct as of June 15, 2025, after the match against South Africa.

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
	1GK	Neblú	(1993-12-16) 16 December 1993 (age 31)	43	0	1° de Agosto
	1GK	Antonio Dominique	(1994-07-25) 25 July 1994 (age 31)	18	0	Étoile Carouge
	1GK	Agostinho Calunga	(1998-07-10) 10 July 1998 (age 27)	0	0	Wiliete
	1GK	Rui Honésimo	(1996-05-01) 1 May 1996 (age 29)	0	0	Interclube
	2DF	Jonathan Buatu	(1993-09-27) 27 September 1993 (age 31)	55	1	Gil Vicente
	2DF	Antonio Hossi	(2001-06-12) 12 June 2001 (age 24)	23	0	1° de Agosto
	2DF	Pedro Bondo	(2004-11-16) 16 November 2004 (age 20)	13	1	Famalicão
	2DF	Mindinho	(2004-11-18) 18 November 2004 (age 20)	10	0	Petro de Luanda
	2DF	Jordy Gaspar	(1997-04-23) 23 April 1997 (age 28)	8	0	Pau
	2DF	Vidinho	(1998-02-25) 25 February 1998 (age 27)	9	4	Petro de Luanda
	2DF	Alexandre Abel Fernando	(1998-05-25) 25 May 1998 (age 27)	3	0	Sagrada Esperança
	2DF	Mabele	(1999-12-30) 30 December 1999 (age 25)	3	0	1° de Agosto
	2DF	Luis Caica	(2005-07-31) 31 July 2005 (age 20)	1	0	Interclube
	2DF	Leonel Cambuta Yobo	(2005-04-14) 14 April 2005 (age 20)	0	0	Petro de Luanda
	2DF	Sami		0	0
	3MF	Show	(1999-03-06) 6 March 1999 (age 26)	55	1	FC Dallas
	3MF	Manuel Keliano	(2003-01-06) 6 January 2003 (age 22)	20	2	Estrela Amadora
	3MF	Randy Nteka	(1997-12-06) 6 December 1997 (age 27)	12	2	Rayo Vallecano
	3MF	Além	(1997-12-06) 6 December 1997 (age 27)	11	1	Interclube
	3MF	Pedro Agostinho	(2000-07-30) 30 July 2000 (age 25)	6	0	Lunda Sul
	3MF	Aguinaldo	(1998-10-17) 17 October 1998 (age 26)	1	0	1° de Agosto
	3MF	Joca	(1996-08-14) 14 August 1996 (age 29)	0	0	Lunda Sul
	3MF	Higino Kapitango	(2003-05-05) 5 May 2003 (age 22)	0	0	Bravos do Maquis
	4FW	Zini	(2002-07-03) 3 July 2002 (age 23)	30	7	AEK Athens
	4FW	Felício Milson	(1999-10-12) 12 October 1999 (age 25)	26	4	Red Star Belgrade
	4FW	Gilberto	(2001-03-10) 10 March 2001 (age 24)	21	3	Petro de Luanda
	4FW	Depú	(2000-01-08) 8 January 2000 (age 25)	17	15	Vojvodina
	4FW	Chico Banza	(1998-12-17) 17 December 1998 (age 26)	15	0	Portimonense
	4FW	Lépua	(1999-12-23) 23 December 1999 (age 25)	11	1	Sagrada Esperança
	4FW	Kaporal	(1994-05-16) 16 May 1994 (age 31)	7	1	Wiliete
	4FW	Ilìdio Panda	(2008-07-06) 6 July 2008 (age 17)	0	0	Petro de Luanda

Players Called Up Recently

These players have also been called to the Angola squad in the last year and can still be chosen.

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club	Latest call-up
GK	Nsesane Emanuel Simão	(2000-11-05) 5 November 2000 (age 24)	0	0	Sagrada Esperança	v.  Cape Verde, 25 March 2025
GK	Kadú	(1994-11-30) 30 November 1994 (age 30)	3	0	Oliveira do Hospital	v.  Sudan, 18 November 2024
GK	Ricardo Batista	(1986-11-19) 19 November 1986 (age 38)	0	0	Casa Pia	v.  Ghana, 15 November 2024 PRE
DF	Bastos	(1991-11-23) 23 November 1991 (age 33)	59	2	Botafogo	v.  Cape Verde, 25 March 2025
DF	Kialonda Gaspar	(1997-09-27) 27 September 1997 (age 27)	43	1	Lecce	v.  Cape Verde, 25 March 2025
DF	Tó Carneiro	(1995-11-05) 5 November 1995 (age 29)	41	1	AS FAR	v.  Cape Verde, 25 March 2025
DF	Kinito	(1998-03-13) 13 March 1998 (age 27)	15	0	Petro de Luanda	v.  Cape Verde, 25 March 2025
DF	Clinton Mata	(1992-11-07) 7 November 1992 (age 32)	14	0	Lyon	v.  Cape Verde, 25 March 2025
DF	David Carmo	(1999-07-19) 19 July 1999 (age 26)	10	0	Nottingham Forest	v.  Cape Verde, 25 March 2025
DF	Sandro Cruz	(2001-05-12) 12 May 2001 (age 24)	7	0	Chaves	v.  Cape Verde, 25 March 2025
DF	Núrio Fortuna	(1995-03-24) 24 March 1995 (age 30)	21	0	Volos	v.  Sudan, 18 November 2024
MF	Fredy (captain)	(1990-03-27) 27 March 1990 (age 35)	61	3	Eyüpspor	v.  Cape Verde, 25 March 2025
MF	Maestro	(2003-08-04) 4 August 2003 (age 22)	17	1	Adana Demirspor	v.  Cape Verde, 25 March 2025
MF	Domingos Andrade	(2003-05-07) 7 May 2003 (age 22)	7	0	Porto B	v.  Cape Verde, 25 March 2025
MF	Beni Mukendi	(2002-05-21) 21 May 2002 (age 23)	3	0	Vitoria de Guimarães	v.  Cape Verde, 25 March 2025
MF	Aldaír Ferreira	(1998-03-26) 26 March 1998 (age 27)	0	0	Botoșani	v.  Sudan, 18 November 2024
MF	João Batxi	(1998-05-01) 1 May 1998 (age 27)	3	0	Krasnodar	v.  Ghana, 15 November 2024 PRE
MF	Estrela	(1995-09-22) 22 September 1995 (age 29)	24	0	Erzurumspor	v.  Niger, 15 October 2024
MF	Megue	(1996-12-02) 2 December 1996 (age 28)	11	2	Petro de Luanda	v.  Niger, 15 October 2024
MF	Rui Modesto	(1999-09-07) 7 September 1999 (age 25)	4	0	Udinese	v.  Niger, 15 October 2024
FW	Gelson Dala	(1996-07-13) 13 July 1996 (age 29)	51	21	Al-Wakrah	v.  Cape Verde, 25 March 2025
FW	Mabululu	(1992-06-01) 1 June 1992 (age 33)	38	13	Al Ahli	v.  Cape Verde, 25 March 2025
FW	M'Bala Nzola	(1996-08-18) 18 August 1996 (age 29)	8	2	Lens	v.  Cape Verde, 25 March 2025
FW	Manuel Benson	(1997-03-28) 28 March 1997 (age 28)	4	0	Burnley	v.  Cape Verde, 25 March 2025
FW	André Vidigal	(1998-08-17) 17 August 1998 (age 27)	1	0	Stoke City	v.  Cape Verde, 25 March 2025
FW	Zito Luvumbo	(2002-03-09) 9 March 2002 (age 23)	24	0	Cagliari	v.  Sudan, 18 November 2024
DEC Player refused to join the team after the call-up. INJ Player withdrew from the squad due to an injury. PRE Preliminary squad. RET Player has retired from international football. SUS Suspended from the national team.

Team Records

Here are some records for the Angolan national football team. Players whose names are in bold are still playing for Angola.

Most Games Played

Flávio is Angola's most capped player with 91 appearances.

Top Goal Scorers

Akwá (left) is Angola's top scorer with 39 goals.

Tournament History

FIFA World Cup

Angola has played in the FIFA World Cup once, in 2006. They first tried to qualify in 1986. They won their first round match against Senegal in a penalty shootout. However, they lost in the second round to Algeria. Algeria then went on to play in the 1986 World Cup in Mexico.

Angola's only World Cup appearance was in 2006 in Germany. Angola at the FIFA World Cup

Africa Cup of Nations

Angola at the Africa Cup of Nations

African Nations Championship

African Nations Championship record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA	Squad
2009	Did not qualify
2011	Runners-up	2nd	6	1	4	1	4	6	Squad
2014	Did not qualify
2016	Group stage	11th	3	1	0	2	4	5	Squad
2018	Quarter-final	8th	4	1	2	1	2	2	Squad
2020	Did not qualify
2022	Group stage	12th	2	0	2	0	3	3	Squad
Total	Champions	4/7	15	3	8	4	13	16	—

COSAFA Cup

Year	COSAFA Cup record
	Result	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1997	Did not enter
1998	Third place	5	1	4	0	6	4
1999	Winners	5	4	0	1	6	2
2000	Semi-final	2	0	1	1	1	2
2001	Winners	4	2	2	0	3	1
2002	Quarter-final	1	0	0	1	1	2
2003	First round	1	0	0	1	0	1
2004	Winners	4	2	2	0	4	2
2005	Semi-final	1	0	0	1	1	2
2006	Runners-up	4	3	0	1	10	5
2007	Quarter-final	2	1	1	0	2	0
2008	See Angola national under-20 football team.
2009	Quarter-final	1	0	0	1	0	2
2013	Plate final	3	1	1	1	4	4
2015	Did not enter
2016	Group stage	3	0	0	3	0	7
2017	Group stage	3	1	2	0	1	0
2018	Group stage	3	1	1	1	2	2
2019	Withdrew
2020	Cancelled
2021	Did not enter
2022	Group stage	3	2	0	1	6	2
2024	Winners	5	4	1	0	11	4
2025	Winners	5	4	1	0	13	2
Total	18/23	47	24	16	12	65	42

Team Achievements

The national football team of Angola in 2014

Major Competitions

• African Nations Championship
  • Runners-up: 2011

Regional Competitions

• COSAFA Cup
  • Winners: 1999, 2001, 2004, 2024, 2025
  • Runners-up: 2006
  • Third-place: 1998
• Central African Games
  • Silver medal: 1987

Summary of Medals

Senior Competitions				Total
CAF African Nations Championship	0	1	0	1
Total	0	1	0	1

Images for kids

• 

  Iran versus Angola during the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

See also

In Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Angola para niños

• Angola women's national football team
• Angola national under-20 football team
• Angola national under-17 football team
• Angolan Football Federation