Beaumelle outlines future plans for Angola with AFCON beckoning

Angola national team’s newly appointed coach Patrice Beaumelle has revealed the country’s readiness to participate in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco from December.

The Palancas Negras have been pooled in Group B alongside South Africa, Egypt, and Zimbabwe. Ahead of the tournament, Beaumelle has shared his vision and belief of his team’s capabilities at the continental showpiece set for the North African nation between 21 December 2025 – 18 January 2026.

Angola is a sporting nation

“I believe Angola has a great generation of players. At the last AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire, the team performed very well, reaching the quarter-finals against Nigeria,” said Beaumelle as quoted by CAFOnline.com.

“Angola is a sporting nation — basketball, handball, and football all hold great importance here. Qualifying for AFCON is never easy, but Angola should always be present because the country has enormous potential.

“Our youth teams — U17, U19, U20 — are full of promise. We must nurture their development because they represent Angola’s future. This current team combines experience with hunger, and with humility and determination, they can achieve great things.”

On what kind of football he wants to see Angola play, he said: “Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to work with exceptional players. Whenever I arrive in a new country, I make it a point to understand its culture, history, and footballing DNA.

Angola will face South African in their opener

“I want Angola to play as one — united, courageous, passionate, and motivated to represent the flag and the people. My goal is to build a team that fights for each other and embodies the spirit of the Palancas Negras.”

He added: “The key is to get good results now in order to buy time for the future. Yesterday is gone, tomorrow is uncertain — today is a gift, that’s why it’s called “the present.” So, we’ll work day by day and trust in God’s plan.

“I actually like that idea. Let’s see what happens. I prefer actions to words — it’s better to prove ourselves on the pitch than to make predictions. What I can say is that I love this team and I believe in what the players want to achieve.”

Angola will face Bafana Bafana in their group opener on December 22.