Pedro Goncalves, head coach of the Angolan national team, has invited 25 players for their final two matches in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers this month, Afrosport reports.
The Portuguese coach has handed callups to Lens forward M’bala Nzola, who makes a return to the team for the first time since March 2023, and Joao Baxti, who hasn’t featured for Angola since 2022.
Goncalves has also called upon Morocco-based Tó Carneiro, Chico Banza of Portimonense, Lyon right-back Clinton Mata, France-based Jordy Gaspar, and Porto B midfielder Domingos Andrade. Meanwhile, the list also includes first-timers like Aldaír Ferreira and goalkeeper Jorge Miguel.
Notable omissions include Rui Modesto, who misses out due to suspension, Gelson Dala due to injury, and Estrela.
🚨 Voici la liste des 25 PALANCAS NEGRAS !
🆕 Jorge Rui 🧤(Interclube 🇦🇴), Aldair Ferreira (Botosani 🇷🇴)
🔙 Mbala Nzola, Batxi, Domingos Andrade, Jordy Gaspar, Chico Banza, Tó Carneiro
❌ Modesto 🟨🟨, Gelson Dala 🚑, Estrela#AFCONQ2025 | #ForçaAngola | #ForçaPalancas 🇦🇴 pic.twitter.com/B54NPz2NhP
— PALANCAS NEGRAS 🇦🇴 (@_PalancasNegras) November 5, 2024
The Palancas Negras, who are already through to next year’s AFCON tournament in Morocco, currently sit atop Group F with a perfect record having claimed four wins in as many games.
They will host Ghana’s Black Stars on Friday, November 15, at Estádio 11 de Novembro in Luanda, before facing Sudan three days later.
