Pedro Gonçalves departs as Angola head coach three months before AFCON

The Angolan Football Federation (FAF) has announced the departure of Pedro Gonçalves as head coach of the Palancas Negras, ending a six-year tenure just three months before the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Gonçalves, who took charge on 15 August 2019, oversaw 55 matches during his time at the helm, securing 18 victories, 22 draws and 15 defeats, averaging 1.38 points per game.

While the record is regarded as respectable, the Federation cited recent disappointing results – particularly Angola’s early elimination from the 2026 World Cup qualifiers – as key to the decision.

In its official statement, the FAF explained the move was taken on its own initiative, though it paid tribute to the outgoing coach for his professionalism and commitment.

Pedro Gonçalves was more than a coach, he was a partner, a leader. He believed in Angola’s potential and gave face and dignity to a national team that returned to its dream, the release stated.

Federation’s tribute to Gonçalves

The Federation praised the Portuguese coach’s contribution, noting his role in guiding the team through both progress and hardship.

During your time with us, we experienced unforgettable victories, overcame difficult times, and saw the emergence of a new generation, the statement added.

Despite the separation, the tone remained respectful, framing the decision as the natural conclusion of a cycle.

But football is made of scenes and with serenity, we recognize that the time has come to open a new chapter, the FAF declared.

Urgent search for successor

Attention now turns to who will lead the Palancas Negras at AFCON 2025, set to begin in January.

The Federation confirmed that discussions are already underway to secure a replacement swiftly.

We are working to secure the next coach of the national team in order to continue the march towards a future of glory, the communiqué said.

The challenge for the incoming coach is considerable: to harness the progress made under Gonçalves, maintain squad cohesion, and inject renewed belief in a side that has shown flashes of potential but struggled for consistency on the international stage.

Mixed reaction within Angola

The announcement has been met with surprise in Luanda and beyond, particularly among some senior figures within the national set-up.

Many had viewed Gonçalves as a stabilising force who oversaw the development of promising young talents while steering the team back into continental contention.

With the clock ticking toward the continent’s biggest competition, Angola faces a pivotal moment.

The decision to part ways with Pedro Gonçalves signals both the end of a significant era and the beginning of a high-stakes search for new leadership to guide the Palancas Negras into AFCON 2025.