Orlando Pirates striker will be part of the Angolan national team squad for the 2025 AFCON!

Africa 28 November 2025 at 13:48

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The stage is set for a compelling Group B opener in the 2025 AFCON, where South Africa's Bafana Bafana will lock horns with Angola. As the tournament in Morocco draws near, the Palancas Negras have laid their cards on the table, unveiling a 55-man provisional squad that tells a tale of two contrasting fortunes for South African-based players.

In a significant boost for Orlando Pirates, their attacker Gilberto, who is currently on loan at Petro Atletico, has secured a spot in the preliminary roster. His return to Angolan football has successfully revived his international career, making him a strong contender to make the final cut for Morocco, especially given his previous experience in the tournament.

However, the news is less encouraging for Kaizer Chiefs. In a recurring theme of heartbreak, their Portugal-born centre-back, Inacio Miguel, has once again been omitted from the national team setup. Despite being a key part of what is considered Chiefs' most improved department this season—a defence boasting an impressive number of clean sheets—Miguel has failed to capture the attention of newly appointed coach Patrice Beaumelle.

His exclusion continues a pattern that began after his high-profile move from Petro Atletico to Kaizer Chiefs in August 2024, a transfer that seemingly cost him his place in the national team. With Angola joining Bafana Bafana and Zimbabwe in having announced their initial selections, all eyes now turn to Egypt, the final team in the "Group of Death," to reveal the men who will carry the Pharaohs' hopes.