"We are here to announce the 23 players who will be called up to continue the second phase of preparation for the African Nations Cup," the coach began.
Among his selections are goalkeepers Neblú, Agostinho Calunga, and Jorge Rui.
Defenders Anderson Cruz, Hossi, Eddie Afonso, Kinito, Vidinho, Lito, Lulas, and Mabelé, as well as midfielders Mafuta, Aguinaldo, Além, Luís Eusébio, Beni, and Megue, were also called up.
The squad also includes forwards Gilberto, Fernando, Kaporal, Jó Paciência, Lépua, and Vanilson.
This Thursday, after the announcement of the squad, the Angolan Football Federation (FAF) announced that Anderson Cruz will be replaced by Gogoró.
"Although not serious, due to a last-minute injury that will prevent him from playing for at least two weeks, athlete Anderson Cruz has been placed on the reserve list, being replaced by Gogoró, who is expected to travel with the National Team to South Africa, where the group, under coach Pedro Gonçalves, will undertake the second phase of preparation for the final stage of the CHAN."
Before their debut in the continental competition, the 'Palancas Negras' will hold a pre-competition training camp in South Africa, where they travel this Thursday. During this training camp, according to Angop, Angola will play against Orlando Pirates next Saturday and against the local team on the 29th. In the event of incompatibility of any of these clubs, the national team will face the South African Kaizer Chiefs.
CHAN 2025 will take place between August 1st and 28th in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
In this competition, Angola is in Group A, which also includes Morocco, Kenya, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
According to the match schedule, the 'Palancas Negras' will debut in the group stage on August 3rd against Morocco, and will then play again on August 7th, 10th, and 14th against Kenya, Zambia, and the DRC, respectively.
