Angola have been crowned champions of the 2024 COSAFA Cup after a commanding 3-0 victory over South Africa in the final on Sunday, with forward Laurindo Aurelio stealing the spotlight.
Despite Bafana Bafana making a bright start and creating the early chances, it was the Palancas Negras who proved far more clinical in front of goal.
Against the run of play, Angola took the lead through Aurelio—widely known as Depu—shortly before half-time, shifting the momentum decisively in their favour.
South Africa, who had shown attacking intent throughout the opening stages, struggled to recover after conceding.
Angola returned from the break with renewed energy and extended their lead when Depu struck again, doubling both his tally for the match and his influence on the final.
Any hopes of a South African comeback were extinguished late on when Félicie Milson sealed the result with a well-taken goal in the 81st minute, putting the contest beyond doubt.
Aurelio’s performance not only helped deliver the trophy for Angola but also earned him individual acclaim.
His brace in the final brought his tournament total to eight goals in just five matches, securing his position as the competition’s top scorer.
His clinical finishing and consistent impact throughout the campaign proved instrumental in Angola’s run to the title.
The result marks a significant achievement for Angola, reaffirming their status as one of Southern Africa’s footballing heavyweights.
For South Africa, meanwhile, it was a disappointing end to a tournament that had shown promise in earlier rounds but ultimately fell short when it mattered most.
Aurelio’s contributions were central to Angola’s success throughout the competition, and his prolific form now places him among the standout performers in recent COSAFA Cup history.
As the celebrations continue in Luanda, attention will now turn to how Angola can build on this triumph in future continental competitions.
But for now, the COSAFA Cup belongs to the Palancas Negras—and Laurindo Aurelio stands as the undisputed star of their campaign.
