AfricaFootball

Exclusive: Angola Coach Pedro Gonçalves Dismissed

End of an Era: Angola Part Ways with Long-Serving Coach Pedro Gonçalves

By Emmanuel Austin Baah
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Pedro Gonçalves, the highly regarded Portuguese manager, has been dismissed as head coach of Angola’s national football team, bringing an end to an eight-year tenure marked by both success and disappointment.

The Angolan Football Federation (FAF), under the leadership of President Alves Simões, confirmed the decision on Thursday, citing the team’s underwhelming recent performances. Gonçalves’ departure follows the Palancas Negras’ failure to progress beyond the group stage at the African Nations Championship (CHAN) and their premature elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers after a 1-0 home defeat to Libya.

In a statement seen by Pan-Africa Football, the FAF expressed its gratitude to the outgoing coach:

“With an immeasurable feeling of gratitude and respect, the Angolan Football Federation informs that the cycle of Pedro Valdemar Soares Gonçalves as national coach has come to an end. The Board of the Angolan Football Federation decided, on its own initiative, to move forward with the measure that marks the end of a stage built with hard work, total dedication, and true commitment to the national flag.”

The statement went on to describe Gonçalves as “more than a coach” but “a partner and leader who believed in Angola’s potential and gave dignity to a team that dared to dream again.”

During his tenure, Gonçalves led Angola to several memorable achievements. He guided the team to victory at the 2025 COSAFA Cup in South Africa and secured qualification for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. Beyond the silverware, he is credited with nurturing a new generation of Angolan talent and strengthening the bond between the team and its supporters.

Nevertheless, the federation concluded that change was necessary:

> “Football is made of stages and, with serenity, we recognise that the time has come to open a new chapter. A chapter that will honour the legacy left, with new dreams and new goals.”

Gonçalves leaves his post having restored belief in the Palancas Negras, though his reign ultimately ended in disappointment. The FAF is now expected to begin the search for his successor as Angola prepare for the next phase of their footballing journey.

Author

  • My name is Emmanuel Austin Baah, professionally known as “Okocha”. I am a seasoned Ghanaian journalist, broadcaster and football commentator from Senya Bereku in the Central Region. My work reflects a strong commitment to factual reporting, ethical journalism and the continuous promotion of Ghanaian sports.

    I am currently pursuing my studies at Cape Coast Technical University, building on a solid foundation of media practice and communication. I previously served as a sports producer at Radio Gold (90.5) and Montie FM (100.1) in Accra, where I was actively involved in editorial planning, programme production, live commentary and in-depth sports analysis.

    Presently, I am a Senior Writer at SportsNetGhana.com, a role in which I produce well-researched features, match reports, athlete profiles and analytical pieces. My work consistently highlights emerging talents, captures key sporting developments and contributes to shaping informed sports discourse in Ghana.

    Over the course of my career, I have covered numerous major sporting events both locally and internationally. Among these, the highlight remains my coverage of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, a significant milestone that strengthened my expertise in global football reporting and enhanced my understanding of international sports dynamics.

    I am widely recognised for my clarity of analysis, engaging commentary style and strong command of both local and global football trends. Beyond the newsroom, I participate in community initiatives aimed at developing young sports journalists and promoting youth engagement in sports.

    For professional engagements, media collaborations or enquiries, please contact me on 0265284330.

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Emmanuel Austin Baah 1201 posts 1 comments

My name is Emmanuel Austin Baah, professionally known as “Okocha”. I am a seasoned Ghanaian journalist, broadcaster and football commentator from Senya Bereku in the Central Region. My work reflects a strong commitment to factual reporting, ethical journalism and the continuous promotion of Ghanaian sports.

I am currently pursuing my studies at Cape Coast Technical University, building on a solid foundation of media practice and communication. I previously served as a sports producer at Radio Gold (90.5) and Montie FM (100.1) in Accra, where I was actively involved in editorial planning, programme production, live commentary and in-depth sports analysis.

Presently, I am a Senior Writer at SportsNetGhana.com, a role in which I produce well-researched features, match reports, athlete profiles and analytical pieces. My work consistently highlights emerging talents, captures key sporting developments and contributes to shaping informed sports discourse in Ghana.

Over the course of my career, I have covered numerous major sporting events both locally and internationally. Among these, the highlight remains my coverage of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, a significant milestone that strengthened my expertise in global football reporting and enhanced my understanding of international sports dynamics.

I am widely recognised for my clarity of analysis, engaging commentary style and strong command of both local and global football trends. Beyond the newsroom, I participate in community initiatives aimed at developing young sports journalists and promoting youth engagement in sports.

For professional engagements, media collaborations or enquiries, please contact me on 0265284330.

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