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Angola national football team facts for kids

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This page is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Angola women's national football team.
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Angola
Shirt badge/Association crest
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 Steady (7 February 2019)
Highest 45 (July 2000)
Lowest 147 (March 2017)
Elo ranking
Current 129 Increase 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 9 (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)
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
Silver 2006 Southern Africa
Bronze 1998 Southern Africa
Website faf.co.ao

The Angola national football team represents the country of Angola in men's international football games. The team is controlled by the Angolan Football Federation, also known as FAF. Their nickname is Palancas Negras, which means "Black Sable Antelopes". Angola is a member of both FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

Angola's highest FIFA ranking was 45th in July 2000. Their biggest achievement was playing in the 2006 FIFA World Cup. This is the only World Cup they have qualified for so far.

History of Angolan Football

Angola played their first game on February 8, 1976, against Congo. They lost that match 3-2. On June 26, 1977, Cuba became the first team from outside Africa that Angola played against. Angola won that game 1-0.

Angola first tried to qualify for the FIFA World Cup in 1986. They beat Senegal in the first round. However, they lost to Algeria in the second round.

Africa Cup of Nations Journeys

Angola played in their first Africa Cup of Nations in 1996. They were in a tough group with South Africa, Egypt, and Cameroon. They didn't make it past the first round.

They qualified again in 1998 but also didn't reach the second round. They had two draws and one loss in their group games.

After missing three tournaments, Angola returned to the Africa Cup of Nations in 2006. They won their first ever AFCON game, beating Togo 3-2. Two goals were scored by Flávio.

Angola's best performance in the Africa Cup of Nations was in 2008. They drew with Tunisia and South Africa. Then, they beat Senegal 3-1, with two goals from Manucho. They reached the quarter-finals but lost to Egypt 2-1. Manucho scored again, finishing with four goals in the tournament.

Angola also hosted the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations. They reached the quarter-finals but were knocked out by Ghana.

Winning the COSAFA Cup

Angola has also been very successful in the COSAFA Cup, a tournament for teams in Southern Africa. They won the COSAFA Cup in 1999, 2001, 2004, and recently in 2024!

Angola at 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 qualification matches, finishing ahead of strong teams like Nigeria.

Before the World Cup, Angola's coach, Pedro Gonçalves, even got advice from famous coach José Mourinho. Angola's best players, often called their Golden Generation, were part of the team. These included Akwá, João Ricardo, and Flávio.

In their first World Cup game, Angola played 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 was eliminated from the tournament.

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

Trying for the 2010 World Cup

After the 2006 World Cup, many experienced players like Akwá retired. Even so, people hoped Angola would qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. Angola did well in the first two rounds of qualification. However, they missed out on the final round by just two points.

Team Kits

Kit manufacturers

The Angolan team has had different companies make their football kits over the years.

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

Recent Games and Future Matches

Main article: Angola national football team results (2020–present)

Here are the results of Angola's games in the last year. Also, you can see any future matches that have been planned.

      Win       Draw       Loss       Fixture

2024 Matches

2025 Matches

Coaching the Team

Many different coaches have led the Angolan national football team over the years. Here is a list of some of them.

  • Hungary József Szabó (1965 – 1966)
  • Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Zlatko Škorić (? – ?)
  • Angola Rubén García (? –1988)
  • Angola Carlos Queirós (1988–?)
  • Portugal Jesualdo Ferreira (1989)
  • Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Dušan Kondić (? –1993)
  • Angola Branco Arlindo (1993–?)
  • Portugal Carlos Alhinho (1994–1995)
  • Portugal Professor Neca (1996–1998)
  • Angola Carlos de Abreu (1998)
  • Serbia and Montenegro Veselin Jelušić (1998)
  • Brazil Djalma Cavalcante (1999)
  • Portugal Carlos Alhinho (2000)
  • Angola Mário Calado (2000–2001)
  • Brazil Ismael Kurtz (2002–2003)
  • Angola Luís Oliveira Gonçalves (2003–2008)
  • Angola Mabi de Almeida (2008–2009)
  • Portugal Manuel José (2009–2010)
  • France Hervé Renard (2010)
  • Angola Zeca Amaral (2010)
  • Angola Lito Vidigal (2011–2012)
  • Angola Romeu Filemón (2012)
  • Uruguay Gustavo Ferrín (2012–2013)
  • Angola Romeu Filemón (2014–2015)
  • Angola José Kilamba (2016–2017)
  • Brazil Beto Bianchi (2017–2018)
  • Serbia Srđan Vasiljević (2018–2019)
  • Portugal Pedro Gonçalves (2019–)

Team Staff

The coaching staff helps the team prepare for games. Here are the people who work with the Angolan national football team.

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

Players on the Team

Current Squad

These players were chosen for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification games in November 2024.

Caps (games played) and goals are correct as of November 18, 2024, after the game against Sudan.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Neblú (1993-12-16) 16 December 1993 (age 31) 36 0 Angola 1° de Agosto
1GK Kadú (1994-11-30) 30 November 1994 (age 30) 3 0 Portugal Oliveira do Hospital
1GK Agostinho Calunga (1998-07-10) 10 July 1998 (age 26) 0 0 Angola Wiliete
2DF Bastos (1991-11-23) 23 November 1991 (age 33) 59 2 Brazil Botafogo
2DF Jonathan Buatu (1993-09-27) 27 September 1993 (age 31) 50 1 Portugal Gil Vicente
2DF Kialonda Gaspar (1997-09-27) 27 September 1997 (age 27) 41 1 Italy Lecce
2DF Tó Carneiro (1995-11-05) 5 November 1995 (age 29) 40 1 Morocco AS FAR
2DF Núrio Fortuna (1995-03-24) 24 March 1995 (age 30) 21 0 Belgium Gent
2DF Antonio Hossi (2001-06-12) 12 June 2001 (age 23) 17 0 Angola 1° de Agosto
2DF David Carmo (1999-07-19) 19 July 1999 (age 25) 8 0 Greece Olympiacos
2DF Pedro Bondo (2004-11-16) 16 November 2004 (age 20) 7 1 Angola Petro de Luanda
2DF Jordy Gaspar (1997-04-23) 23 April 1997 (age 28) 5 0 France Pau
3MF Fredy (captain) (1990-03-27) 27 March 1990 (age 35) 59 2 Turkey Eyüpspor
3MF Show (1999-03-06) 6 March 1999 (age 26) 50 1 United States FC Dallas
3MF Maestro (2003-08-04) 4 August 2003 (age 21) 15 1 Turkey Adana Demirspor
3MF Randy Nteka (1997-12-06) 6 December 1997 (age 27) 8 1 Spain Rayo Vallecano
3MF Domingos Andrade (2003-05-07) 7 May 2003 (age 22) 7 0 Portugal Porto B
3MF Aldaír Ferreira (1998-03-26) 26 March 1998 (age 27) 0 0 Romania Botoșani
4FW Mabululu (1992-06-01) 1 June 1992 (age 33) 37 13 Libya Al Ahli
4FW Zito Luvumbo (2002-03-09) 9 March 2002 (age 23) 24 0 Italy Cagliari
4FW Zini (2002-07-03) 3 July 2002 (age 22) 23 6 Greece Levadiakos
4FW Felício Milson (1999-10-12) 12 October 1999 (age 25) 19 3 Serbia Red Star Belgrade
4FW Gilberto (2001-03-10) 10 March 2001 (age 24) 18 3 South Africa Orlando Pirates
4FW Chico Banza (1998-12-17) 17 December 1998 (age 26) 9 0 Portugal Portimonense
4FW M'Bala Nzola (1996-08-18) 18 August 1996 (age 28) 8 2 France Lens

Recently Called-Up Players

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


Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Ricardo Batista (1986-11-19) 19 November 1986 (age 38) 0 0 Portugal Casa Pia v.  Ghana, 15 November 2024 PRE
GK Antonio Dominique (1994-07-25) 25 July 1994 (age 30) 17 0 Switzerland Étoile Carouge v.  Sudan, 8 September 2024
GK Landu Langanga (1996-10-15) 15 October 1996 (age 28) 5 0 Angola Sagrada Esperança v.  Namibia, 7 July 2024
GK Edmilson Cambila (2002-05-16) 16 May 2002 (age 23) 0 0 Portugal Estrela da Amadora v.  Namibia, 7 July 2024
GK Gelson (1999-07-08) 8 July 1999 (age 25) 0 0 Angola Interclube v.  Namibia, 7 July 2024
DF Clinton Mata (1992-11-07) 7 November 1992 (age 32) 12 0 France Lyon v.  Ghana, 15 November 2024 PRE
DF Sandro Cruz (2001-05-12) 12 May 2001 (age 24) 7 0 Portugal Chaves v.  Niger, 15 October 2024
DF Vidinho (1998-02-25) 25 February 1998 (age 27) 5 3 Angola Petro de Luanda v.  Niger, 15 October 2024
DF Mindinho (2004-11-18) 18 November 2004 (age 20) 7 0 Angola Petro de Luanda v.  Namibia, 7 July 2024
DF Marsoni Sambu (1996-06-03) 3 June 1996 (age 29) 3 0 Belgium RWD Molenbeek v.  Namibia, 7 July 2024
DF Joel Kiala (2004-01-21) 21 January 2004 (age 21) 2 0 Germany Hertha BSC II v.  Namibia, 7 July 2024
DF Kaly (2003-11-27) 27 November 2003 (age 21) 1 0 Georgia (country) Dila Gori v.  Namibia, 7 July 2024
DF Eddie Afonso (1994-03-07) 7 March 1994 (age 31) 37 0 Angola Petro de Luanda v.  Cameroon, 11 June 2024
DF Jonás Ramalho (1993-06-10) 10 June 1993 (age 31) 2 0 Bahrain Al-Ahli v.  Cameroon, 11 June 2024
DF Quinito (1998-03-13) 13 March 1998 (age 27) 20 0 Angola Petro de Luanda 2023 AFCON
DF Loide Augusto (2000-02-26) 26 February 2000 (age 25) 7 1 Turkey Alanyaspor 2023 AFCON
DF Inácio Miguel (1995-12-12) 12 December 1995 (age 29) 6 0 South Africa Kaizer Chiefs 2023 AFCON
DF Nandinho (1998-05-25) 25 May 1998 (age 27) 7 0 Angola Sagrada Esperança 2023 AFCON PRE
DF Gigli Ndefe (1994-03-02) 2 March 1994 (age 31) 4 0 Czech Republic Slovan Liberec 2023 AFCON PRE
DF Anderson Lucoqui (1997-07-06) 6 July 1997 (age 27) 1 0 Germany Hertha Berlin 2023 AFCON PRE
MF João Batxi (1998-05-01) 1 May 1998 (age 27) 3 0 Russia Krasnodar v.  Ghana, 15 November 2024 PRE
MF Estrela (1995-09-22) 22 September 1995 (age 29) 24 0 Turkey Erzurumspor v.  Niger, 15 October 2024
MF Megue (1996-12-02) 2 December 1996 (age 28) 11 2 Angola Petro de Luanda v.  Niger, 15 October 2024
MF Rui Modesto (1999-09-07) 7 September 1999 (age 25) 4 0 Italy Udinese v.  Niger, 15 October 2024
MF Manuel Keliano (2003-01-06) 6 January 2003 (age 22) 15 2 Portugal Estrela Amadora v.  Sudan, 8 September 2024
MF Pedro Agostinho (2000-07-30) 30 July 2000 (age 24) 6 0 Angola Lunda Sul v.  Namibia, 7 July 2024
MF Berna (2003-09-15) 15 September 2003 (age 21) 4 0 Portugal Boavista v.  Namibia, 7 July 2024
MF Mauro Maya (2004-08-15) 15 August 2004 (age 20) 4 0 Angola Petro de Luanda v.  Namibia, 7 July 2024
MF Joseph Nduquidi (2004-10-31) 31 October 2004 (age 20) 0 0 France Metz v.  Namibia, 7 July 2024
MF Marcos Silva (1997-09-27) 27 September 1997 (age 27) 2 0 Portugal Uniao Leira v.  Cameroon, 11 June 2024
MF Bruno Paz (1998-04-23) 23 April 1998 (age 27) 9 0 Turkey Konyaspor 2023 AFCON
MF Beni Mukendi (2002-05-21) 21 May 2002 (age 23) 2 0 Portugal Casa Pia 2023 AFCON
MF Herenilson (1996-08-27) 27 August 1996 (age 28) 46 0 Libya Al Ahli 2023 AFCON PRE
MF Mário Balbúrdia (1997-08-19) 19 August 1997 (age 27) 13 0 Portugal Mafra 2023 AFCON PRE
MF Além (1997-12-06) 6 December 1997 (age 27) 3 0 Angola Petro de Luanda 2023 AFCON PRE
FW Gelson Dala (1996-07-13) 13 July 1996 (age 28) 49 20 Qatar Al-Wakrah v.  Niger, 15 October 2024
FW Depú (2000-01-08) 8 January 2000 (age 25) 12 7 Serbia Vojvodina v.  Sudan, 8 September 2024
FW Manuel Benson (1997-03-28) 28 March 1997 (age 28) 2 0 England Burnley v.  Sudan, 8 September 2024
FW Benarfa (2001-01-25) 25 January 2001 (age 24) 7 1 Angola 1° de Agosto v.  Namibia, 7 July 2024
FW Manu (2000-09-03) 3 September 2000 (age 24) 5 1 Angola 1° de Agosto v.  Namibia, 7 July 2024
FW Miro (2003-04-22) 22 April 2003 (age 22) 5 1 Portugal Gil Vicente v.  Namibia, 7 July 2024
FW Picas (2001-02-14) 14 February 2001 (age 24) 5 0 Portugal Feirense v.  Namibia, 7 July 2024
FW Eliot Muteba (2003-06-20) 20 June 2003 (age 21) 2 0 Germany Munich 1860 v.  Namibia, 7 July 2024
FW Lucas João (1993-09-04) 4 September 1993 (age 31) 4 1 Iran Persepolis v.  Cameroon, 11 June 2024
FW Valter Monteiro (2005-11-08) 8 November 2005 (age 19) 1 0 Angola Sagrada Esperança v.  Cameroon, 11 June 2024
FW Jérémie Bela (1993-04-08) 8 April 1993 (age 32) 8 0 France Clermont v.  Comoros, 22 March 2024
FW Elliot Simões (1999-12-20) 20 December 1999 (age 25) 2 0 Saudi Arabia Al-Qaisumah v.  Comoros, 22 March 2024
FW Vá (1998-04-24) 24 April 1998 (age 27) 33 2 Sweden Djurgårdens 2023 AFCON PRE
FW Geraldo (1991-11-23) 23 November 1991 (age 33) 30 2 Turkey Ümraniyespor 2023 AFCON PRE
FW Hélder Costa (1994-01-12) 12 January 1994 (age 31) 11 1 England Leeds United 2023 AFCON PRE
FW Lépua (1999-12-23) 23 December 1999 (age 25) 11 1 Angola Sagrada Esperança 2023 AFCON PRE
FW Julinho (1999-05-17) 17 May 1999 (age 26) 9 1 Libya Al Akhdar 2023 AFCON PRE
FW Fabio Abreu (1993-01-29) 29 January 1993 (age 32) 8 1 China Beijing Guoan 2023 AFCON PRE
FW Capita (2002-01-10) 10 January 2002 (age 23) 2 0 Israel Hapoel Jerusalem 2023 AFCON PRE
FW Anderson Cruz (1996-04-09) 9 April 1996 (age 29) 1 0 Angola Petro de Luanda 2023 AFCON PRE
FW Ivan Cavaleiro (1993-10-18) 18 October 1993 (age 31) 0 0 France Lille 2023 AFCON PRE

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 in bold are still playing for Angola.

Most Games Played

FlávioAmado.TV
Flávio is Angola's most capped player with 91 appearances.
Rank Player Caps Goals Career
1. Flávio 91 34 2000–2012
2. Gilberto 89 10 1999–2015
3. Love Cabungula 79 11 2001–2016
4. Akwá 78 39 1995–2006
5. Yamba Asha 77 1 2000–2009
6. Kali 73 0 2003–2011
7. André Macanga 70 2 1999–2012
Mateus 70 14 2006–2021
9. Job 64 7 2007–2018
10. António João Neto 60 1 1992–2001

Top Goal Scorers

FIFA World Cup 2006, Iran 1-1 Angola (07)
Akwá (left) is Angola's top scorer with 39 goals.
Rank Player Goals Caps Ratio Career
1. Akwá 39 78 0.5 1995–2006
2. Flávio 34 91 0.37 2000–2012
3. Manucho 22 53 0.42 2006–2017
4. Gelson Dala 20 49 0.41 2015–present
5. Paulão 19 52 0.37 1993–2001
6. Jesus 18 48 0.38 1979–1990
7. Mateus 14 70 0.2 2006–2021
8. Mabululu 13 37 0.35 2013–present
9 Love Cabungula 11 79 0.14 2001–2016
10. Gilberto 10 89 0.11 1999–2015

Tournament History

FIFA World Cup

See also: Angola at the FIFA World Cup

Angola has qualified for the FIFA World Cup once, in 2006. Their first time trying to qualify was in 1986. They won their first round but lost in the second round to Algeria.

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

Africa Cup of Nations

See also: Angola at the Africa Cup of Nations

Angola at the Africa Cup of Nations

African Nations Championship (CHAN)

The African Nations Championship (CHAN) is a football tournament for players who play in their home country's league.

African Nations Championship record
Year Round Pld W D* L GF GA Squad
Ivory Coast 2009 Did not qualify
Sudan 2011 Runners-up 6 1 4 1 4 6 Squad
South Africa 2014 Did not qualify
Rwanda 2016 Group stage 3 1 0 2 4 5 Squad
Morocco 2018 Quarter-final 4 1 2 1 2 2 Squad
Cameroon 2020 Did not qualify
Algeria 2022 Group stage 2 0 2 0 3 3 Squad
Total Champions 4/7 15 3 8 4 13 16 —

COSAFA Cup

Main article: 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
South Africa 2008 See Angola national under-20 football team.
Zimbabwe 2009 Quarter-final 1 0 0 1 0 2
Zambia 2013 Plate final 3 1 1 1 4 4
South Africa 2015 Did not enter
Namibia 2016 Group stage 3 0 0 3 0 7
South Africa 2017 Group stage 3 1 2 0 1 0
South Africa 2018 Group stage 3 1 1 1 2 2
South Africa 2019 Withdrew
South Africa 2020 Cancelled
South Africa 2021 Did not enter
South Africa 2022 Group stage 3 2 0 1 6 2
Total 16/21 42 16 14 12 41 36

Team Achievements

Iran vs. Angola 2014-05-30 (001)
Angola lining-up before a friendly match in 2014

Here are the awards and honors the Angolan national football team has won.

Continental Awards

  • African Nations Championship
    • Silver medal africa.svg Runners-up: 2011 (This means they finished second place)

Regional Awards

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

See Also

Kids robot.svg 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
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