Online Reporter
ANGOLA coach Patrice Beaumelle has launched a scathing criticism at FIFA after the global football body confirmed they will require clubs to release African players only seven days before the start of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
His remarks come amid growing dissatisfaction across the continent following FIFA’s announcement that directly contradicts the Swiss-based federation’s own 14-day compulsory release rule for major international tournaments.
“FIFA only needs Africa during elections, but it doesn’t value our competitions like AFCON or give them the recognition they deserve,” Beaumelle said.
The decision, announced by the Bureau of the FIFA Council on Wednesday, has ignited widespread outrage, especially as the ruling applies solely to the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations.
The tournament kicks off in Morocco on December 21, yet clubs will now only be required to release players on December 15, barely six days before teams play their opening matches.
The move has also wrecked the plans which ZIFA had for the Warriors camp ahead of Zimbabwe’s tournament opener against Egypt on December 22.
FIFA argued that the shortened window is “in line with the same principle used for the FIFA World Cup 2022,” but African football officials and coaches insist the ruling exposes a long-standing pattern of unequal treatment.
Meanwhile, Beaumelle has named his final 28-man squad for the Nations Cup, confirming the group that will attempt to deliver the Palancas Negras’ best-ever showing at the biennial continental finals.
Beaumelle’s squad announcement ends weeks of speculation surrounding his final choices, with several notable absentees drawing attention as Angola prepare for a challenging Group B campaign against South Africa, Zimbabwe and Egypt.
Beaumelle made bold choices as familiar names miss out
Despite expectations, seasoned figures including Bastos, Gilberto and Andrade were not included in the final list.
Their omissions underline Beaumelle’s confidence in a revamped, more dynamic squad heading into Morocco.
The French coach has opted for a balanced group that blends experienced internationals with emerging talents, reinforcing his ambition to go beyond the quarter-final stage for the first time in the country’s history.
Luvumbo, Dala and Mabululu headline attacking firepower.
Angola will rely heavily on the potency of Gelson Dala, Zito Luvumbo, Mbala Nzola, Mabululu and Randy Nteka as they aim to break down some of the tournament’s strongest defences.
The forward line is one of Angola’s most experienced units and is expected to be central to their hopes of progressing deep into the competition.
In midfield, influential figures such as Show, Fredy, Maestro and Beni Mukendi will anchor the team, providing stability and creativity in equal measure.
Clinton Mata and Carmo strengthen a seasoned defence At the back, Beaumelle has selected a robust set of defenders, including Clinton Mata, David Carmo, Núrio Fortuna, Gaspar and Buatu.
Their experience will be crucial as Angola open their AFCON campaign against a fast, aggressive South Africa side on 21 December in Marrakesh.
Beaumelle has also named three goalkeepers — Neblú, Hugo Marques and Dominique — with competition expected to remain open until the final days of preparation.
Angola’s AFCON build-up begins with a 10-day training camp in Portugal from December 8-18, where the team played warm-up matches against DR Congo (13 December) and Mozambique (16 December).
Additional friendlies have also been scheduled as part of the final phase of preparation.
The Palancas Negras are set for three more matches in Morocco before their AFCON opener which are on December 22 against South Africa, a clash with the Warriors four days later and a December 29 showdown with Egypt.
Although a tough test awaits in Group B, Angola have momentum from their quarter-final run in 2023 and Beaumelle’s refreshed squad, travel to Morocco with measured confidence — and the ambition to write a new chapter in their footballing history.
Angola have never won the tournament, with their strongest performances being quarter-final appearances in 2008, 2010 and the last edition in Cote d’Ivoire.
Angola’s final 28-man AFCON squad:
Goalkeepers: Neblú, Hugo Marques, Dominique
Defenders: Rui Modesto, Eddie Afonso, Tô Carneiro, Núrio Fortuna, Pedro Bondo, David Carmo, Buatu, Gaspar, Clinton Mata
Midfielders: Beni Mukendi, Show, Fredy, Maestro, Kelliano, Mário Balbúrdia
Forwards: Zito Luvumbo, Manuel Benson, Milson, Chico Banza, Gelson Dala, Randy Nteka, Ary Papel, Mabululu, Mbala Nzola, Zine
Many believe it undermines AFCON’s stature, places national teams at a competitive disadvantage and reinforces the notion that African football is undervalued on the global stage. — Zimpapers Sports Hub/ghanasoccernet.com
