Angola’s national football team, known as the “Black Gazelles,” continues to impress in the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.
They secured a spot in the quarter-finals after a convincing 3-0 victory over Namibia in the Round of 16 last Saturday.
Portuguese coach Pedro Gonçalves praised his team for this qualification, emphasizing the need to maintain flexibility and focus in each game.
He stated, “All the matches we’ve played are different and come with different dynamics.
We saw that against Namibia. It’s important to continue demonstrating flexibility, focus in every match, and make every effort.”
The Angola squad comprises 19 professionals from 9 different leagues. The Portuguese league leads with 5 players, followed by the Turkish league with 4, and the Italian, French, and Qatari leagues with 2 each.
Additionally, there is one player from the Egyptian, Greek, Swiss, and Belgian leagues.
The striking duo of Gelson Dala from Al-Wakrah in Qatar, the team’s top scorer with 14 goals, and Mabululu from Al Ittihad Alexandria in Egypt, who has scored 6 goals for Angola, has been formidable.
In this tournament, Mabululu scored 3 goals, and Gelson Dala netted 4.
Angola won all three group stage matches, marking the first time they have achieved three victories in a single Africa Cup of Nations edition and the first time winning three consecutive matches in a single tournament.
In the aftermath of their 3-0 victory over Namibia, Gelson Dala expressed his happiness with the team’s qualification for the quarter-finals.
He stated that their good performance deserved the advancement and credited his teammates for their efforts, with a special mention of the Best Player award.
Dala, who scored two goals in the match, expressed his desire to score more and help Angola go further in the tournament.
Meanwhile, legendary Angolan forward Fabrice Maieco, known as “Akwá,” praised the team’s current level as exceptional.
He commended their group stage leadership and the convincing victory over Namibia, noting the five goals scored.
Akwá attributed the success to the coach’s excellent work despite the challenges, given the limited time to prepare.
He concluded by singling out outstanding players in the team, including Gelson Dala, Neblu, Kialunda, Fredy, and Gaspar. The Black Gazelles’ consecutive victories have provided a significant boost, creating optimism for their continued success in the tournament.
