As the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 draws near, Angola’s head coach Pedro Gonçalves has expressed confidence in his team’s potential, while reflecting on his six-year tenure with the Palancas Negras.
In an interview with CAFOnline.com, the Portuguese tactician highlighted the importance of CHAN as a platform for local talent and a measure of domestic football development. He acknowledged the challenge of competing without some of Angola’s key foreign-based players but maintained that the competition offers invaluable exposure to homegrown stars.
“Angola has become a goldmine for world football, and many of our best players are abroad. CHAN remains a window of opportunity for our local players and a barometer for the internal football structure,” Gonçalves noted.
Qualification and Group Challenges
Angola’s path to CHAN 2024 saw them bypass the first qualifying round due to their rise in the FIFA rankings. They overcame Lesotho in the decisive tie, securing a 2-0 away win before managing the second leg with a rotated squad despite losing through a late penalty.
Looking ahead to the tournament, Gonçalves admitted that Group B will be tough, featuring heavyweights Morocco and DR Congo, co-hosts Kenya, and regional rivals Zambia. “We may not be the favourites, but we will fight relentlessly for a place in the quarter-finals,” he said.
CHAN’s Importance to African Football
Gonçalves praised CHAN for its role in showcasing African-based players, stating that CAF has “brilliantly created a competitive space” that elevates local talent and garners global attention.
Reflecting on the COSAFA region’s progress, he expressed optimism that a Southern African nation could soon win CHAN. “The talent is there. With time, more resources, and better development, I believe it will become a reality,” he added.
Angola’s first target is to progress beyond the group stage after narrowly missing out in the last edition, where they finished second in a three-team group.
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