Angola show COSAFA Cup intentions with foreign-based players included in squad

Midfielder Show, based in the USA at FC Dallas, is one of many players based abroad called into the Angola team for the COSAFA Cup.

With no major international tournaments taking place during the summer, Angola are eager for regional supremacy with head coach Pedro Gonçalves electing to include numerous players based abroad in his squad for the 2025 COSAFA Cup.

Normally reserved for domestic-based players or out of contract players based abroad, the COSAFA Cup will have a little more at stake this year. With important FIFA World Cup qualifying matches coming up in September and October as well as the African Nations Championship (CHAN) in August, Gonçalves has plenty to evaluate and the COSAFA Cup provides a competitive environment.

While some stars like defender Kialonda Gaspar, attacker Gelson Dala and striker Mabululu are not included in the squad, the opportunity is there for players to impress and increase their role. Dynamic forwards like Zini and Milson can elevate their status while the top scorer in Angola's top flight Girabola, Wiliete SC's Kaporal, will get a big opportunity in the twilight of his career.

Portuguese-based players like rising talent Pedro Bondo and Manuel Keliano are included along with Randy Nteka of Spanish La Liga club Rayo Vallecano and midfielder Show who plays for FC Dallas in Major League Soccer.

Angola will be in Group B at the COSAFA Cup hosted in South Africa. The Palancas Negras begin play on June 5 against Namibia in a group that also includes Lesotho and Malawi. Of the fourteen members of COSAFA, only Seychelles will not take part with guest nation Morocco involved as they prepare for the African Nations Championship (CHAN) for domestic-based players.