Exclusive: Angola coach Pedro Gonçalves sacked

Highly-rated Pedro Gonçalves has been sacked as Angola football team coach, closing the curtain on an eight-year largely successful reign.

The Portuguese mentor has parted ways with the Palancas Negras after they failed to reach the African Nations Championship (CHAN) quarterfinals as expected. Angola is also on the brink of elimination from contention to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after disappointing results in the September international window.

🚨 OFFICIEL : 🇵🇹 Pedro Gonçalves est 𝗗𝗘́𝗠𝗜𝗦 de ses fonctions avec l’Angola après 5 ans passés là-bas ! 🇦🇴👋🏻

À 3 mois de la CAN. 😳 pic.twitter.com/0hbU80fsNO

— 🏆 Actu Foot Afrique (@ActuFootAfrique) September 18, 2025

The Angolan Football Federation (FAF), led by Alves Simões, terminated the contract of Gonçalves on Thursday. Pan-Africa Football has seen the statement confirming the sacking of the trainer.

“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 statement reads.

“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.

“Pedro Gonçalves, was more than a coach, he was a partner, a leader who believed in Angola’s potential and gave face and dignity to a team that dreamed again.

Gonçalves’ achievements included winning COSAFA Cup

“He built a relationship of complicity with the fans with the Palancas Negras and showed, with honor, that it is possible to do more with less, as long as there is passion and commitment.

“During his time with us, we have experienced unforgettable victories, overcome difficult moments and seen a new generation of talent emerge. Under his guidance, our national team grew, not only on the field, but in the confidence of an entire people.

“But football is made of stages and, with serenity, we recognize that the time has come to open a new chapter. A chapter that will honor the legacy left, with new dreams and new goals.”

The termination of the coach’s contract looked a matter of time considering that the CHAN failure was followed by Angola’s premature exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying race. They lost 0-1 to Libya at home to bow out of the campaign weeks ago.

Gonçalves’ achievements included winning the 2025 COSAFA Cup in South Africa recently. The coach also secured the Palancas Negras a place at the 2025 African Cup of Nations in Morocco finals.