Angola travels to the Africa Cup 2025 full of ambition. Over the years, the team has built a reputation as a tough opponent that never gives up easiliy. While past editions were often marked by fighting spirit and surprise performances, the current squad reflects greater maturity and confidence. With a blend of experienced players and emerging talent, Angola is not just looking to compete, they are aiming for a true breakthrough on Africa’s biggest stage.
- Nickname: Palancas Negras (Black Antelopes)
- Head coach: –
- AFCON appearances: 9 times
- FIFA ranking: 85
Angola’s Match Schedule
Angola has been drawn into Group B, alongside Egypt, South Africa and Zimbabwe. Below is their full group stage schedule, including dates, times and venues. So you know exactly when to follow the Palancas Negras.
| 22 December | Group stage |
 South Africa Angola | 2 1 |
| 26 December | Group stage |
Angola Zimbabwe | 1 1 |
| 29 December | Group stage |
Angola Egypt | 0 0 |
Stats Angola AFCON 2025
Top scorer
| # | Player | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Gelson Dala | 1 |
| 2. | Show | 1 |
Assists
| # | Player | Assists |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Fredy | 1 |
| 2. | Tó Carneiro | 1 |
Rating
| # | Player | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Gelson Dala | 7,2 |
| 2. | Hugo Marques | 7,1 |
| 3. | Fredy | 7,1 |
| 4. | Show | 7,0 |
| 5. | David Carmo | 6,9 |
| 6. | Clinton Mata | 6,8 |
| 7. | Beni Mukendi | 6,7 |
| 8. | Jonathan Buatu | 6,7 |
| 9. | Maestro | 6,7 |
| 10. | Kialonda Gaspar | 6,6 |
Angola Squad
Keepers:
Neblú (1º de Agosto), Hugo Marques (Petro de Luanda), Signori Antonio (Etoile Carouge)
Defenders:
Rui Modesto (Udinese), Eddie Afonso (Petro de Luanda), Tô Carneiro (AS FAR), Núrio Fortuna (Volos NPS), Pedro Bondo (Famalicão), David Carmo (Real Oviedo), Jonathan Buatu (Gil Vicente), Kialonda Gaspar (Lecce), Clinton Mata (Olympique Lyon)
Midfielders:
Beni Mukendi (Vit. Guimarães), Show (Kocaelispor), Fredy (Bodrum FK), Maestro (Alanyaspor), Manuel Keliano (Akhmat Grozny), Mário Balbúrdia (Boluspor)
Attackers:
Zito Luvumbo (Cagliari), Manuel Benson (Swansea City), Milson (Rode Ster), Chico Banza (Zamalek),Gelson Dala (Al-Wakrah SC), Randy Nteka (Rayo Vallecano), Ary Papel (Al-Akhdar), Mabululu (Al-Ahli), M’bala Nzola (Pisa), Zini (AEK Athene)
Head Coach Angola
Angola does not have a head coach at the moment.
Star Player Angola
Cristóvão Paciência, better known by his football name “Mabululu”, is the undisputed striker of the Palancas Negras and a driving force behind many of their recent successes. Born in Luanda in 1992, he began his career in Angola, playing for Petro de Luanda, Recreativo do Libolo and 1º de Agosto. With the latter, he won both the Girabola national league and the Angolan Cup in the 2018/19 season, also finishing as league top scorer with 14 goals.
His move abroad elevated him further. At Al Ittihad Alexandria in Egypt, he became the Egyptian Premier League’s top scorer in 2022/23 with 16 goals and was included in the Team of the Season. Internationally, he scored memorable goals during AFCON 2023, including one so spectacular that it earned him CAF’s Goal of the Year 2024.
Mabululu finishing ability, power and knack for delivering in crucial moments make him Angola’s key player af the Africa Cup 2025.
AFCON History
While Angola has never won the Africa Cup of Nations, the Palancas Negras have consistently proven to be a dangerous opponent. In the 2000s, they impressed by reaching the quarter-finals twice. First in 2008 and again in 2010, when they hosted the tournament. That home edition in 2010 was a milestone: with attacking football and passionate home support, Angola showed they could compete with the continent’s strongest nations.
After a lean period, including a group stage exit in 2019, Angola bounced back in 2023 with reaching the quarter-finals again with a mature and balanced team. They have long been seen as an outsider capable of upsetting bigger names, but the semi-finals remain uncharted territory. AFCON 2025 presents a fresh opportunity to break that barrier and etch their name deeper into African football history.
Road to AFCON 2025
Angola delivered an impressive qualifying campaign, proving they are ready to compete at the highest level. Drawn in a tough group with Ghana, Sudan and Niger, the Palancas Negras went unbeaten and showed balance in both attack and defense. Their performances highlighted a newfound stability, with Angola looking sharper and more confident than in recent years.
| Thursday 5 September 2024 | |
 Ghana Angola | 0 1 |
| Sunday 8 September 2024 | |
Angola Sudan | 2 1 |
| Friday 11 October 2024 | |
Angola Niger | 2 0 |
| Tuesday 15 October 2024 | |
| Niger Angola | 0 1 |
| Monday 11 November 2024 | |
| Angola Ghana | 1 1 |
| Tuesday 19 November 2024 | |
| Sudan Angola | 0 0 |
| Team | PTS | G | W | D | L | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Angola | 14 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | +3 |
| Sudan | 8 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | -2 |
| Niger | 7 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | +1 |
| Ghana | 3 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 3 | -4 |
Stats
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Milson | 2 |
| 2. | Mabululu | 2 |
| 3. | Zini | 2 |
| 4. | Randy Nteka | 1 |
Assists
| Player | Assists | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Maestro | 1 |
| 2. | Bastos | 1 |
| 3. | Milson | 1 |
Players Rating
| Player | Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Núrio Fortuna | 7,4 |
| 2. | Bastos | 7,2 |
| 3. | Rui Modesto | 7,2 |
| 4. | Kialonda Gaspar | 7,2 |
| 5. | Gelson Dala | 7,1 |
| 6. | Milson | 7,1 |
| 7. | Show | 7,1 |
| 8. | Mabululu | 7,0 |
| 9. | David Carmo | 7,0 |
| 10. | Randy Nteka | 7,0 |