World Cup 2026 (Q): Angola's Squad List Features Afimico Pululu and André Vidigal

The Angola coach officially announced on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, the Palancas Negras squad for the matches against Libya and Cape Verde, as part of the 5th and 6th rounds of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

Coach Pedro Gonçalves has called up 27 players, including two new faces. Afimico Pululu (Jagiellonia Białystok) and André Vidigal (Stoke City) have officially received their first caps for the Angolan national team. The Portuguese tactician has enlisted regulars such as Gelson Dala, Mabululu, Gilberto, and M'Bala Nzola to tackle the upcoming World Cup 2026 qualifiers against Libya and Cape Verde.

Also noteworthy is the return of Joachim Balanga ‘Kinito’, Benedito Mukendi, Manuel Keliano, and Manuel Benson to the national team. Meanwhile, Nteka, Zito, Show, and Fortuna have been left out.

The Angola squad list for the matches against Libya and Cape Verde in the 5th and 6th rounds of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers

Goalkeepers:
Adilson Da Cruz "Neblú" (1º de Agosto – Angola)
António Dominique (Étoile Carouge – Switzerland)
Nsesane Simão (Sagrada Esperança – Angola)

Defenders:
António Hossi (Petro de Luanda – Angola)
Augusto Carneiro "Tó" (FAR Rabat – Morocco)
Bartolomeu Quissanga "Bastos" (Botafogo – Brazil)
Clinton Mata (Olympique Lyon – France)
David Carmo (Olympiacos – Greece)
Joaquim Balanga "Kinito" (Petro de Luanda – Angola)
Kialonda Gaspar (Lecce – Italy)
Pedro Bondo (Famalicão – Portugal)
Sandro Cruz (Gil Vicente – Portugal)

Midfielders:
Alfredo Ribeiro "Fredy" (Bodrumspor – Turkey)
António Muanza "Maestro" (Adana Demirspor – Turkey)
Benedito Mukendi "Beni" (Vitória SC – Portugal)
Domingos Andrade (FC Porto – Portugal)
Manuel Keliano (Estrela Amadora – Portugal)

Forwards:
Afimico Pululu (Jagiellonia Bialystok – Poland)
Ambrosine Salvador "Zine" (Lavadiaikos – Greece)
André Vidigal (Stoke City – England)
Cristóvão Paciência "Mabululu" (Al Ahly Tripoli – Libya)
Deivi Vieira "Gilberto" (Petro de Luanda – Angola)
Felício João "Milson" (Crvena Zvezda – Serbia)
Chico Banza (Estrela Amadora – Portugal)
Jacinto "Gelson" Dala (Al-Wakrah – Qatar)
M’Bala Nzola (Lens – France)
Manuel Benson (Burnley – England)

Lydiane N'Po |

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Sports journalist specializing in African football, covering football news, exclusive stories and digital content for passionate fans of the game.