Afcon 2023: Angola out to prove critics wrong and deliver ‘happiness’

Just like Nations Cup holders Senegal, who won their first continental title seven years into the reign of coach Aliou Cisse, one of the keys to Angola’s success has been the longevity of Portuguese coach Pedro Goncalves.

Having first started coaching in 1997 and then spent over a decade with the youth academy of Sporting Lisbon in his homeland, the 47-year-old has been in Angola since 2015.

He first coached the youth sides of top club Primeiro de Agosto before taking charge of Angola’s Under-17 side in 2018, taking them to the last 16 in their first World Cup a year later.

Three of that squad – Zine, Zito Luvumbo and Beni – travelled to Ivory Coast.

“Pedro is the best example of how to develop football in Angola,” said Fredy, a former Portugal youth international.

“He took these players from the Under-17s and when he came to the first team, he said to me ‘Fredy, with the young players and the experienced players, we can do something amazing’. He has proved it.”

Goncalves has had to do without Beni, however, after the midfielder asked to return to his Portuguese Primeira Liga club Casa Pia after failing to play in the opening two games, while Loide Augusto – who played the first game against Algeria – has left the camp for disciplinary reasons.

Those left behind in Ivory Coast are a tight-knit group, which the captain credits for their bright start to 2024.

Angola entered this year with just one goal from nine hours of play, and Fredy says the squad’s “family relationship” has been crucial in their upturn in fortunes.

“We respect each other and have a very good connection,” the 33-year-old added.

“We also have experience. A lot of these players moved to Europe and when they did, the mindset changed, and they started to believe more and become more professional.

“And Pedro is a very good guy. He’s open and listens to what the team says – he’s not like those coaches who think they know everything. He gives us confidence, is one of us and tactically, he’s a smart guy.

“Without him, we cannot do what we’ve done.”