by PEDRO AGOSTO
LUANDA – ANGOLA is emerging as a football force in the Southern African bloc and is reaping the rewards of continuity.
The senior men’s national team, nicknamed the Palancas Negras (Black Sable Antelopes), are reveling at the glory of winning a second successive Council of Southern African Football Associations (COSAFA).
The defence of their title came at the expense of host nation, South Africa, who they overran 3-0 this past weekend.
It is their fifth title at the annual regional tourney and by that achievement, they have drawn level with South Africa on five titles. Only Zambia (seven) and Zimbabwe (six) have won more.
To cap off a brilliant 2025 campaign, Laurindo Dilson Maria Aurélio, professionally known as Depu, won the Player of the Tournament and the Golden Boot, ensuring a clean sweep of awards for the Angolans.
Like his team, his Golden Boot, after netting eight goals, was his second successive, after last year’s five goals.
On-loan at Serbian SuperLiga club, Vojvodina, the 25-year-old from Lobito is the hottest striker in Southern Africa at the moment, with prospects of making a name for himself in the continent, as African football competitions are on the horizon.
The Angola Football Federation is also reaping the rewards of its faith in coach Pedro Gonçalves, the 48-year-Portuguese who has been in charge for six years.
He has led them to back-back qualification for the Africa Cup of Nations, including a quarterfinal finish in 2023 in Ivory Coast.
Gonçalves has also guided the Palancas Negras to successive African Nations Championships, with the 2024 edition moved to later this year in East Africa.
Before coaching the senior team, he was at the Under-17 side.
He led them to the COSAFA Cup U-17 gold medal in 2018 and a third-place finish at the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations and first ever FIFA U-17 World Cup qualification.
Angola, which made its debut in 2006 at the senior men’s World Cup, and South Africa, are the only sides from the region to qualify for the prime global tournament.
