Gonçalves reacts to his dismissal as Angola coach

Former Angola football team coach Pedro Gonçalves has reacted to his dismissal.

The Portuguese mentor took to his Facebook page to send a special message to the Palancas Negras’ players.

“I played over 100 matches representing a unique country, with vibrant and generous people,” the coach wrote.

🚨🚨🚨

Pedro Gonçalves est démis du poste de Sélectionneur de l’Angola. 😳

La Fédération Angolaise de Football a décidé, de sa propre initiative, de se séparer de Pedro Gonçalves (3 MOIS AVANT LA CAN!) pic.twitter.com/nXJa8ZMcy3

— Palancas Negras 🇦🇴 (@_PalancasNegras) September 18, 2025

“I will carry with me unforgettable moments forever: the record number of matches and victories, winning the two COSAFAs, rising in the FIFA rankings in 2024 as the team with the most wins, the historic AFCON with reaching the quarterfinals, the presence at the U-17 World Cup, among so many others that immortalize this journey.”

Gonçalves saw Angola climb 32 places in the FIFA rankings from position number 117 in January to 85th in December of 2024.

Gonçalves’ achievements included winning 2025 COSAFA twice

The Portuguese coach left his role last week closing the curtain on an eight-year largely successful reign.

He paid the price of failing to reach the paying ranks of the African Nations Champions (CHAN) finals.

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 Cups twice and qualifying for the 2025 African Cup of Nations in Morocco finals.

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