Angola head coach Pedro Goncalves will have to come up with a new plan as four players have withdrawn from their 25-man squad just days before their final matches in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
The Palancas Negras, whose spot in next year’s AFCON in Morocco is already guaranteed, will host the Black Stars of Ghana in Luanda on November 15 before battling Sudan three days later.
Goncalves’ side will be without the quartet of Joao Batxi, Clinton Mata, Ricardo Batista, and Mabululu.
Baxti, who made a return to the team, has pulled out due to personal issues; Mata and Mabululu are both out with injuries; and Batista is unavailable due to family-related matters.
Angola currently tops Group F with 12 points, five more than Sudan in second place, and will need favorable results from their two matches to confirm their position as group winners.
🚨OFFICIEL ! L’Angola est QUALIFIÉ pour la CAN 2025. 🌍🏆
Qui sommes-nous maintenant ? Quelle évolution des Palancas Negras ! 😍#AFCONQ2025 | #ForçaAngola | #ForçaPalancas 🇦🇴 pic.twitter.com/jLZiqjTqV9
— PALANCAS NEGRAS 🇦🇴 (@_PalancasNegras) October 15, 2024
Angola players and reason for withdrawal
Joao Batxi- Unavailable due to personal issues
Clinton Mata – Recovering from an injury
Ricardo Batista – Dealing with family matters
Mabululu – Ruled out due to injury
