Angola's national team is gearing up for the CAN 2027 qualifiers, with coach Aliou Cissé unveiling his squad for the upcoming matches against Egypt and Malawi. The team has been bolstered by the return of Gilberto "Gibelé" and Zito Luvumbo, who are expected to play key roles in the team's campaign. Ekumby Barbosa, a young goalkeeper from Cádiz in Spain, has also been called up to the squad.
The Angolan team will face Egypt on September 25 in Cairo, a match that promises to be a challenging encounter. Egypt has been in impressive form, having reached the round of 16 at the recent World Cup in the Americas, where they pushed Argentina to the limit before losing 3-2. Coach Aliou Cissé is aware of the threat posed by Egypt and has emphasized the importance of a solid defensive performance and effective counter-attacks.
In preparation for the matches, Cissé has made several changes to the squad that played against Mauritania and the Central African Republic. Eight players have been dropped, including António Hossi, Tó Carneiro, and Ary Papel, while nine new players have been called up, including Ekumby, Alexandre Fernando, and Marsoni. The squad also includes experienced players such as Hugo Marques, David Carmo, and Mabululu.
The team's goalkeeper, Ekumby Barbosa, stands out at 1.93m tall and plays for Cádiz in Spain. Defence central Alexandre Abel Fernando, aged 28, plays for Sagrada Esperança and was previously called up by coach Pedro Gonçalves for the Taça COSAFA 2025. These new inclusions are expected to bring fresh energy to the team.
After the match against Egypt, Angola will return to Luanda to face Malawi on October 6. The team will be looking to secure a positive result against Malawi and make a strong statement in the CAN 2027 qualifiers. Coach Cissé has emphasized the importance of each match in the qualification process and the need for the team to be well-prepared.
The full squad for Angola includes: Goalkeepers - Hugo Marques, Neblú, Rui Honésimo, and Ekumby; Defenders - Buatu, David Carmo, Gaspar, Kinito, Eddie Afonso, Pedro Bondo, Alexandre Fernando, Núrio Fortuna, Sandro Cruz, Beni, and Miro; Midfielders - Show, Fernandinho, Mário Balbúrdia, Keliano, Chico Banza, and Milson; Forwards - Depú, Zini, Mabululu, Randy Nteka, Zito Luvumbo, and Gibelé.
The team's chances of qualifying for the CAN 2027 have been boosted by the return of key players and the inclusion of new talent. With a strong squad and a determined coach, Angola is ready to take on the challenges of the qualifiers and make a push for a spot in the tournament.
Key points
- Angola faces Egypt on September 25 in Cairo in the CAN 2027 qualifiers.
- Coach Aliou Cissé has called up a mix of experienced and new players for the qualifiers.
- The team will also face Malawi on October 6 in Luanda.
