Latest news with #Gonçalves
CAF
03-08-2025
- Sport
- CAF
Morocco v Angola: Atlas Lions launch third title quest against resurgent Palancas Negras
Morocco will kick off their quest for a third title at the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) PAMOJA 2024 with a high-stakes Group A fixture against Angola on Sunday at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi, Kenya. The North African giants are aiming for an unprecedented third CHAN title, having lifted the trophy in 2018 and 2020. They enter this tournament with a strong pedigree and a squad driven by ambition, despite facing pre-tournament challenges. Head coach Tarik Sektioui has emphasized the importance of beginning the campaign with a win, noting that a positive start would instill belief and momentum in a competition where consistency often determines eventual champions. "For us, it is very important to approach the first match with a victory that will allow the players to gain in terms of confidence and positive state of mind," Sektioui told the media on the eve of the match. "We are determined to win this match and have prepared well for it." Sektioui's message was echoed by team captain Mohamed Rabie Hrimat, who said that the players understand the weight of expectation and are fully focused on delivering results. "The national team is determined to win the trophy and the players are aware of the responsibility they have," Hrimat stated. "We have enough experience in African competitions to make a difference. Our main objective is to get through the group stage and ultimately win the title." Morocco's success in previous CHAN tournaments has made them one of the most feared sides in the competition. They have gone 13 matches unbeaten at CHAN, winning 11 and drawing 2. Their last defeat came in 2014 against Côte d'Ivoire. Their previous opening matches include emphatic victories such as a 4-0 demolition of Mauritania in 2018 and a narrow 1-0 win over Togo in 2020. This will be Morocco's fifth appearance at the CHAN finals. They are the only team to have successfully defended the title and remain unbeaten in opening matches. However, Angola presents a significant challenge. The Palancas Negras are themselves veterans of the competition, with this being their fifth appearance. Their best finish came in 2011 when they finished runners-up. Angola head coach Pedro Gonçalves, who has led the national team since 2019, expressed confidence in his side's ability to challenge the favourites. "We're not thinking beyond the Morocco match. They are strong, they want to win — but so do we. And I'm confident their hunger won't exceed ours," Gonçalves stated. Angola's recent record in continental competition has shown steady progress. Under Gonçalves, the team enjoyed its best-ever Africa Cup of Nations campaign and were crowned COSAFA champions. The coach believes this success reflects the growth of Angolan football. "2024 was a very good year for us. Not only did we win COSAFA, but we had our best-ever AFCON. What made it even more special was how we united the nation behind the team," he added. But CHAN preparations were not without difficulty. Under the competition's eligibility rules, only players competing in domestic leagues can participate. This led to the loss of five players who secured moves abroad during Angola's training camp. "Since we began preparations, five players have moved abroad. That's something we never used to see," Gonçalves said. "It shows how Angolan players are being valued more. Technically, they've always been gifted, but now they're developing holistically." Sunday's encounter in Nairobi will be the first-ever CHAN meeting between Morocco and Angola. However, Morocco holds an advantage in experience against Southern African opponents, having won previous CHAN matches against Namibia and Zambia, and drawn against Zimbabwe. Angola's record in opening matches has been less impressive. They are winless in four opening fixtures, with three draws and a single loss. Their last win at the CHAN came in 2018, a 1-0 victory over Cameroon. Since then, they have gone four matches without a win. Despite this, Angola have proven to be difficult opponents. They have drawn eight times in their CHAN history, including memorable high-scoring affairs like the 3-3 draw against Mali in 2022. Both teams qualified for CHAN 2024 with commanding performances. Morocco topped their qualification group, while Angola defeated Lesotho 2-1 on aggregate, winning 2-0 away in the first leg before a narrow 1-0 defeat at home. Sektioui highlighted the resilience of his players, praising their tactical maturity and determination amid setbacks during the pre-tournament phase. "We started with native players born from 2000 onwards, but the departure of 11 players to new clubs and the injuries of two others affected our preparations," he explained. "The players retained in the final list have shown technical and tactical maturity that we will use to make good progress during this championship." He also welcomed the late additions of veteran players, whose presence he believes will be invaluable. "I am very pleased with the addition of the veterans who joined us late, but whose quality was crucial and facilitated their quick integration with the players," said the former international. CHAN 2024 is co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania — the first time the competition is being staged across three nations. Morocco will play their Group A fixtures in Nairobi, starting with the clash against Angola, followed by matches against Kenya, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Gonçalves believes the opening match against Morocco is the ideal litmus test for his team. "This is our chance to test ourselves against one of the best. We've worked hard for this," he said. "Psychologically, we are preparing to play the best — and that's what tomorrow is about." Morocco's ambition is clear — to win the title and reinforce their status as a powerhouse of local football on the continent. Angola, meanwhile, will look to build on their upward trajectory and pull off a statement result against the defending champions. As the players take to the pitch in Nairobi, fans across Africa will be watching closely — not only to see who starts strong, but to gauge which of these two seasoned CHAN participants can turn potential into glory.
CAF
02-08-2025
- Sport
- CAF
Seven-year project: Gonçalves eyes big payoff for Angola at CHAN PAMOJA 2024
After more than seven years shaping Angola's national teams from the ground up, Pedro Gonçalves believes the time is now for his long-term project to deliver at the top level — starting with the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) PAMOJA 2024. The Portuguese tactician, who has overseen various Angolan sides including the senior national team and youth setups, is leading the Palancas Negras into what he hopes will be a defining campaign on the continental stage. 'This is their opportunity to replicate what we did close to four decades ago,' he said. 'I believe the team currently in place is quite able to do this. But the biggest secret is in how you start. If they start on a positive note, it will give them some momentum into the rest of the tournament. I remember for us, we started off with a big win against Tunisia and that just gave us huge confidence.' Gonçalves' focus is firmly on ensuring Angola emerges as one of the tournament's standout teams, despite being drawn in what many have dubbed the 'Group of Death' alongside Morocco, DR Congo, hosts Kenya, and Zambia. Their opening match will be played on August 3 at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi. 'We are under no illusions about the difficulty,' Gonçalves told 'But our ambition is to compete fiercely, surprise our opponents, and advance beyond the group stage.' The coach's preparation strategy has been methodical. He began working with a broad group of players in Luanda before trimming the squad to 23 and relocating to Johannesburg for a second phase of training. 'Our preparation for this CHAN began on July 17 and has been divided into two phases,' he explained. 'The main focus has been on building collective cohesion and helping the players regain their peak physical condition.' One of Gonçalves' core strengths has been his emphasis on consistency and continuity. Ten players in the current squad were part of Angola's recent COSAFA Cup-winning team—a tournament the coach used not only to defend the regional title but also to prepare for World Cup qualifiers and CHAN itself. 'Continuity is a key aspect of our work,' he said. 'Integrating these players ensures consistency in our approach and builds on the progress made during previous camps.' However, Gonçalves' preparation has not been without challenges. The timing of the CHAN — during a league break and overlapping with the international transfer window — has complicated squad stability. 'We've already lost players who moved abroad, which forces us to continuously adapt our team structure,' he admitted. 'While this is beneficial for the players' careers and the long-term depth of our national team, it significantly impacts our immediate performance.' Injuries have also struck. Forward Anderson Cruz will miss at least two weeks due to a muscle injury, a setback Gonçalves acknowledges but is determined to manage. 'Each match will be an opportunity to demonstrate our determination,' he added. As one of the few coaches in African football with deep institutional knowledge of his national teams, Gonçalves' longevity gives Angola an edge—particularly in building a culture of tactical identity and squad unity. With Morocco coming in as back-to-back champions, DR Congo as two-time winners, Zambia's pedigree, and Kenya's home support, Angola will need every bit of that foundation to survive Group A. But Gonçalves remains calm and confident. 'The consistency and experience we've gained in recent editions of CHAN and AFCON are assets we'll rely on. We have players who participated in the last tournaments and can serve as a reference point for the younger players,' he said. His final message is clear: Angola isn't just here to make up the numbers. 'We've arrived to make a big impact,' Gonçalves declared. 'Our mission is to turn years of work into results on the pitch.' The TotalEnergies CAF CHAN PAMOJA 2024 kicks off on Saturday, 2 August, and runs through 30 August, with matches hosted across Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
CAF
29-07-2025
- Sport
- CAF
TotalEnergies CAF CHAN 2024: Angola team profile
Fact File Nickname : The Sable Antelopes Total Appearances: Four (2011, 2016, 2018, 2022) Last Appearance: Algeria 2022 Titles : 0 FIFA Ranking: 85 The TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship 2024 will see Angola making their fifth appearance from the seven in total that have been played since 2009. After missing out on the first edition in 2009, the Sable Antelopes made their debut two years later at the Sudan finals where they put up a strong performance that saw them finish fourth after being edged by the hosts in the third-place play-off. Under the guidance of coach Pedro Gonçalves, Angola are amongst the strongest teams from the Southern African region and will be looking at going all the way in their fifth attempt. How they qualified: Angola had a tricky opponent in Lesotho who have been on an impressive rise of form of late. The Sable Antelopes advanced to the finals after overcoming Lesotho over two legs to secure their fifth TotalEnergies CAF CHAN appearance. Know the coach: Pedro Gonçalves Angola will be under the tutelage of Pedro Gonçalves, a man who has grown in leaps and bounds over the years with Angolan national team. Upon his 2018 arrival, Gonçalves was appointed the Angola U-17 national team coach where he hit the ground running with a COSAFA Cup U-17 gold medal which was followed by a third-place finish at the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 AFCON, as well as guiding his side to their first ever FIFA U-17 World Cup, where their journey ended in the Round of 16. The 48-year-old caused a number of upsets in Cote d'Ivoire where he guided the Angola to an impressive Quarter-Final finish at the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations. Past CHAN performances In their four previous appearances, Angola's best run came in their debut at the Sudan finals where they finished fourth behind the hosts. After missing out on the 2016 edition in Rwanda, they finished fourth at the 2018 finals in Morocco before their comeback in Algeria 2022 where they could not advance from the group stages. What to expect: Angola's recent COSAFA Cup triumph marked their fourth regional title and was dominated mostly by players plying their trade in Angola. They will be looking at continuing their fine form at the TotalEnergies CAF CHAN finals next month. Fan Zone Did you know: Angola is the second best performing Southern African nation at the TotalEnergies CAF CHAN finals after Madagascar who recently finished third at the Algeria edition. Angola finished fourth in their debut appearance in 2011 at the Sudan finals.
CAF
27-07-2025
- Sport
- CAF
Six days to go: Angola boss Gonçalves hails CAF for championing homegrown talent with CHAN
As the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 edges closer, Angola's head coach Pedro Gonçalves is leading his team with quiet confidence and deep reflection of his six years in charge of the Palancas Negras. Celebrating six years at the helm of the Palancas Negras, the Portuguese tactician believes Angola is primed to showcase its local talent despite facing challenges of player availability and group-stage pressure. In this exclusive interview with Gonçalves delves into Angola's CHAN qualification journey, the transformative power of the competition for local players, and his optimism about the future of football in the COSAFA region. He also acknowledges the difficult task ahead in a group that includes CHAN heavyweights Morocco and DR Congo, as well as co-hosts Kenya and regional rivals Zambia. With a mix of pragmatism and belief, Gonçalves sees CHAN not just as a tournament but as a platform for growth and recognition for African-based players. Here is the full Q&A: Q: Coach, you are preparing for yet another TotalEnergies CAF CHAN tournament. What are your views on the current state of the team? I have the privilege of celebrating six years as Angola's national team coach. The journey has been long and enjoyable. Our progress since 2019 has been substantial, and this will be the second consecutive CHAN that I am proud to have qualified Angola for. As a result of our development in recent years, Angola has become a goldmine for world football, and many of our most prominent players are now playing abroad, which means they won't be available for this competition. Nevertheless, I have always emphasized—and continue to stress to the players—the great importance of CHAN, as it serves both as a window of opportunity for local players and as a barometer for the entire internal football structure. Q: What do you make of the team's performance in the qualifiers? The fact that in 2024 we were the national team with the biggest rise in the FIFA rankings worldwide allowed us to skip the first qualifying round. On one hand, that was a good thing, but on the other, it meant we had less time to work and develop directly with the locally based players. We ended up playing the qualifier against Lesotho, which is always a very competitive opponent. I believe we were rightful winners of the tie, which was practically decided in the first leg with our 2-goal away victory. In the second leg at home, we were able to manage the squad and give other players the chance to compete. Despite losing that match due to an entirely unnecessary penalty, we always controlled the tie and were never in danger of missing qualification. Q: What makes this TotalEnergies CAF CHAN tournament important for Angolan Football? CHAN is of vital importance in boosting local talent. The vast majority of African national teams play mostly (or even entirely) with players who are based outside their countries. I think CAF brilliantly created a very interesting and attractive competitive space that opens the door for locally based players who aspire to reach higher sporting levels. CHAN provides visibility for local talent. Q: What have you made of the growth and competitiveness of African football? In recent seasons, CAF has implemented a series of initiatives that have increasingly raised the quality and visibility of African competitions. Africa holds the future talent of global football, and as such, interest from the global football world is growing. This is evident in the attention given to African competitions—not only from outside the continent but also from within, as there is growing enthusiasm and appreciation for what is being produced in African football. Q: Looking at your group, what do you make of your opponents and your chances of going to the KO stages? We are clearly in the most competitive group. Looking at the five teams in the group, only two have won CHAN twice—Morocco and the DRC—and they are clearly the favorites to qualify. Then there's the host nation, Kenya, which has made a significant investment. Zambia and ourselves will be seen as the 'underdogs,' but I believe we will fight relentlessly for a place in the quarterfinals. We may not be the favorites, but we will certainly have something to say in that fight. Q: What goals are you looking to set for your team in this competition? Considering that in the last edition we finished second in a group of three and didn't qualify—due to two draws in two matches—having the chance to play four games this time is already a great opportunity for this group of local players. We will fight for a place in the quarterfinals, which would be a fantastic goal to achieve given the strength of the teams in our group. Q: No Southern African nation has lifted the title. What do you make of this statistic and the chances of Southern African nations at the tournament? The progress of the COSAFA region has been gradual and significant. If we consider that seven of the teams in the upcoming AFCON are from the COSAFA region, that's already a sign of growth. However, we must now aim for the next level, which is winning titles in Africa. South Africa and Zambia have already done so in the AFCON. Let's see which team from our region will be the first to do it in CHAN. The talent is there, and with time, the allocation of more resources, and improvements in the development process, I believe it will become a reality.
Fox Sports
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Family of Liverpool's Diogo Jota Gather for Wake After Fatal Car Crash
Family and friends of Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and his brother gathered at a chapel where their bodies were brought for a wake on Friday, a day after the Portuguese soccer players were killed in a car crash. Some hugged and wept before entering the Capela da Ressurreição São Cosme. The brothers' parents attended, as well as Jota's agent, Jorge Mendes. Mourners left flowers and candles next to a tree outside the chapel where visitation was held. Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa also visited to pay his respects. The chapel sits next to the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar church where the funeral for the siblings is planned for Saturday. Gondomar resident Ricardo Alves lamented the loss of the local star as he passed by. "It is a great sadness," he said. "Although I did not know him personally, he was from here and I knew many of his friends from the region where he lived. It is a great loss. He is a young man with a lot still to give, and he had a somewhat tragic fate." Jota, 28, and his brother, Andre Silva, 25, were found dead near Zamora in northwestern Spain after the Lamborghini they were driving crashed on an isolated stretch of highway just after midnight on Thursday and burst into flames. Their bodies were repatriated to Portugal after being identified by the family, Spanish government officials said. Jota and his parents both have homes in Gondomar, where he started his playing career as a child. Gondomar is a working-class town next to Porto, where Jota was born. Jota's death occurred two weeks after he married long-time partner Rute Cardoso while on vacation from a long season where he helped Liverpool win the Premier League. The couple had three children, with the youngest born last year. Spanish police are investigating the cause of the crash, which did not involve another vehicle, they said. They said they believe it could have been caused by a blown tire. Jota's brother Silva played for Portuguese club Penafiel in the lower divisions. The loss was felt sharply in his hometown, especially at his first soccer club, where Jota started playing at age 9. "He never forgot his roots, nor his friends, because he had a group of friends who were with him in the training here in Gondomar and who he even invited from time to time to go and watch Liverpool games in England," Gondomar SC director Anselmo Serra told The Associated Press. "They were like a group of friends that he never forgot over the years." Heading to England via boat Jota and his brother were driving overnight to catch a boat from Santander, on Spain's northern coast, to go to England to rejoin Liverpool, when they crashed, according to Portuguese media. Portuguese sports website Record published a video interview with Miguel Goncalves, who said he worked as a physical therapist for Jota. Gonçalves told Record that Jota was avoiding flying due to a lung condition that he recently treated. "I was in his house at night for a last treatment," Gonçalves said. "He was proud to have recovered from his pulmonary problem. He was happy to be with his brother. They were excited to spend some time together on the trip." Spanish police have yet to say which brother was driving. Liverpool mourns Jota Condolences poured in from Portuguese officials and the world of soccer as news of the accident spread. A moment of silence was held before Portugal played Spain at the Women's European Championship in Switzerland late Thursday. For a second day, Liverpool fans laid flowers and scarves outside Anfield Stadium. Former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson was among those to place a bouquet at the impromptu memorial to Jota. Liverpool's players are not due back from their summer break until Monday. Mohamed Salah wrote on social media that it will be hard to return to the team without Jota. "Teammates come and go, but not like this," Salah wrote. "It's going to be extremely difficult to accept that Diogo won't be there when we go back. My thoughts are with his wife, his children, and of course his parents who suddenly lost their children. "Those close to Diogo and his brother Andre need all the support they can get. They will never be forgotten." Reporting by The Associated Press. Get more from English Premier League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more in this topic
