The Angolan national football team, known as the Palancas Negras, is set to return home under a cloud of scrutiny following their elimination from the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) at the group stage.
This early exit comes after a reported investment by the Angolan Football Federation (FAF). FAF paid $10 million to the Argentine Football Association to play a high-profile international friendly match in November 2025 during their 50th independence anniversary. The move was seen as major preparation for the AFCON 2025.
However, the team’s performance in Ivory Coast has led to questions from leaders, supporters, and the federation itself. Drawn in a group with Egypt, South Africa, and Zimbabwe, Angola’s campaign yielded two draws and one loss. They drew 1-1 with Zimbabwe and 0-0 with Egypt, before a 2-1 defeat by South Africa sealed their fate.
The result has sparked a period of reflection and demands for answers. Critics are questioning if the planning and spending, particularly the costly friendly, translated into the required results on the pitch. There is a growing debate about the team’s preparation priorities and whether the investment delivered value.
Officials within Angolan football have expressed that they “do not understand” the disconnect between the expensive preparation and the tournament outcome. As a result, the team and its technical staff are expected to provide a full account of their AFCON campaign upon their return.
The coming days will likely see formal discussions between the team management and the federation, for clear explanations regarding the team’s direction and future planning.