Angola women's national football team

This article is about the women's team. For the men's team, see Angola national football team.

Angola
NicknameWelwitschias
AssociationAngolan Football Federation
ConfederationCAF (Africa)
Sub-confederationCOSAFA (Southern Africa)
Head coach Xavier Manuel Da Costa Chapanga
CaptainArminda Paulina Lopes
Top scorerIrene Gonçalves (33)
Home stadiumOmbaka National Stadium
FIFA codeANG
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 155 3 (11 December 2025)[1]
Highest82 (December 2003)
Lowest151 (December 2024 – June 2025)
First international
 South Africa 3–1 Angola 
(South Africa; 7 January 1995)
Biggest win
 Angola 5–0 Comoros 
(Pretoria, South Africa; 5 October 2023)
Biggest defeat
 Angola 0–6 Zambia 
(Luanda, Angola; 29 November 2023)
 Zambia 6–0 Angola 
(Lusaka, Zambia; 5 December 2023)
African Women's Championship
Appearances2 (first in 1995)
Best resultSemi-Finalist (1995)
COSAFA Women's Championship
Appearances9 (first in 2006)
Best result Runners-Up (2008)

The Angola women's national football team represents Angola in international women's football and it is controlled by the Angolan Football Federation. Their best place on the FIFA Rankings was the 82nd place, in December 2003. The only tournaments that they qualified were the 1995 and 2002 African Women's Championships, and their best finish was as Semi-Finalists in the 1995 tournament. Angola has, in contrast to many other African countries, has never suffered a heavy defeat. They have seldom lost by more than two goals.

Angola finished in third place at the African Championship in 1995. Angola also qualified for the Championship in 2002, where they beat Zimbabwe and South Africa, but lost to Cameroon by one goal. Since then, Angola have not qualified for the championships.

During qualification for the 2008 Olympics, Angola did not get any further than the first round, where they lost to Ghana. However, they did reach the final of the COSAFA Cup, where they met South Africa, who beat them 3–1.

History

Beginnings

Angola played their first game against South Africa on 7 January 1995, losing 3–1.

African Women's Championship/ Women's Africa Cup of Nations

Angola entered the 1995 African Women's Championship, against Cameroon, but it withdrew, thus Angola advanced by walkover and in the Second Round, they played their first official match on the first leg of the Second Round, against South Africa on 7 January 1995; in where they lost by 3–1. The second leg, was a 3–3 draw at home. These results provoked the elimination of Angola due to a 6–4 aggregate, but the Welwitschias ended as Semi-Finalists, along with Ghana.

Angola participated in the 2002 African Women's Championship qualifiers, against Equatorial Guinea. Both legs were won 3–0 and 3–1 respectively. Second Round matches where against Congo DR and First leg was won 1–0 and Second leg was lost also by 1–0, but won in penalties by 5–4 and qualified for the tournament who was held in Nigeria.

This time Angola was along with Zimbabwe, South Africa and Cameroon. The first match was against Zimbabwe and ended on a 1–1 draw with goal of the captain Irene Gonçalves at the 16 minutes. The same result occurred on the Second match against South Africa, but this time with goal of Jacinta Ramos at the 75 minutes. Last match was lost against Cameroon by 1–0 in a late Cameroonian goal at the 89 minutes, leaving Angola out of the tournament and the World Cup.

The Welwitschias played the 2006 African Women's Championship/2007 FIFA Women's World Cup qualifiers against Equatorial Guinea in First round, winning 3–2 in the first leg, but losing 3–1 in the second leg, and losing in aggregate by 5–4. Angola did not reach both the 2006 African Women's Championship or the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup who was held in China PR.

Again, the team entered the 2010 African Women's Championship/2011 FIFA Women's World Cup qualifiers in the CAF first round against Namibia and lost the First leg 2–1, leading 1–0 in the half-time, with goal of Irene Gonçalves at the 37 minutes. The Second leg was a 1–1 draw,[2] when it was winning 1–0, again with a goal of Irene Gonçalves at the 51 minutes. Angola did not qualify for either both tournaments.

Angola did not enter for the 2014 African Women's Championship/2015 FIFA Women's World Cup qualifiers, which was held in Namibia in Autumn 2014.

All-Africa Games

Angola entered for the first time to the All-Africa Games Football tournament, in the qualifiers for the 2007 edition in Algeria. Their rival was South Africa. They won the first leg by 3–2 and lost the second by 4–0, ending with an aggregate of 6–3, thus being eliminated from the tournament.

Angola failed to qualify to the 2011 All-Africa Games, celebrated in Mozambique, after losing in aggregate to Zimbabwe by 3–1, after drawing 1–1 and lose 2–0. Also these matches were the last matches that Angola played to the date.

Olympic Games qualifiers

The Welwitschias debuted on the Olympic Games football tournament qualifiers in the edition of 2008 edition, celebrated in China PR. Angola's first rival was Tanzania, but it withdrew; thus Angola advanced by walkover. In the Second Round, Angola played against Ghana, losing both matches by 2–1 and 2–0, ending with an aggregate of 4–1.

Despite being one year after the 2011 All-Africa Games, the 2012 Olympic Games Football Tournament qualification of Africa was held 4 months before the 2011 All-Africa Games qualifiers. Angola was paired with Namibia once again in a qualification round. They draw both matches by 2–2 and 0–0 respectively, but they lost due to the Away goals rule. Angola was eliminated of the tournament who took place in Great Britain

COSAFA Women's Championship

Angola made their debut in the 2006 edition before hosting the 2008 edition. They have not made it past the group stages in nine edition with their last outing in the 2025 edition.[3][4]

Team image

Home stadium

The Angola women's national football team is nicknamed Welwitschias. The name is derived from the Welwitschia mirabilis, a unique plant found in the Namib Desert in southern Angola, which is known for its incredible endurance and ability to survive in harsh conditions.

The team plays their home games at the Estádio Nacional de Ombaka.

Results and fixtures

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

Legend

  Win   Draw   Lose   Void or Postponement   Fixture

2025

20 February 2026 WAFCON qualifying Angola  2–1  Zimbabwe Luanda
16:00 UTC+1 Ary Papel 1', 73' Report Mucherera 17' Stadium: Estádio Joaquim Dinis
26 February 2026 WAFCON qualifying Zimbabwe  2–1
(3–3 agg.)
(4–5 p)		  Angola Pretoria, South Africa
15:00 UTC+2
  • Chinyerere 35'
  • Katona 44'
 Report Ary Papel 78' Stadium: Lucas Moripe Stadium
Referee: Aline A Etong (Cameroon)
Penalties
  • Cristina
  • Margareth
  • Ketcha
  • Docarsia
  • Ngonguinha
Note: 3–3 on aggregate. Angola won 5–4 on penalties.
23 October 2026 WAFCON qualifying Angola  0–0  Malawi Luanda
16:00 UTC+1 Report Stadium: Estádio 11 de Novembro
Referee: Aline Umutoni (Rwanda)
28 October 2026 WAFCON qualifying Malawi  2–0
(2–0 agg.)		  Angola Lilongwe, Malawi
15:00 UTC+2 Chinzimu 82', 84' Report Stadium: Bingu National Stadium
Referee: Rachel Zihindula (DR Congo)
Note: Malawi won 2–0 on aggregate.

2026

18 February 2025 COSAFA Championship Lesotho  1–3  Angola Polokwane, South Africa
12:00 UTC+2
  • Moalosi 49'
 Report
Stadium: Old Peter Mokaba Stadium
Referee: Grace Gimo (Zimbabwe)
21 February 2025 COSAFA Championship South Africa  2–0  Angola Polokwane, South Africa
12:30 UTC+2
Report Stadium: Seshego Stadium
Referee: Grace Gimo (Zimbabwe)
24 February 2025 COSAFA Championship Angola  0–1  Malawi Polokwane, South Africa
15:00 UTC+2 Report Khumalo 77' Stadium: Old Peter Mokaba Stadium

Head-to-head record

Statistics correct as of 23 June 2014

Opponent Played Won Drawn Lost GF GA GD
 Cameroon 1 0 0 1 0 1 −1
 DR Congo 2 1 0 1 1 1 0
 Equatorial Guinea 4 3 0 1 10 6 +4
 Ghana 2 0 0 2 1 4 −3
 Mozambique 1 1 0 0 4 0 +4
 Namibia 5 1 3 1 7 5 +2
 São Tomé and Príncipe 1 1 0 0 4 2 +2
 South Africa 7 2 2 3 13 21 −8
 Eswatini 1 1 0 0 2 0 +2
 Zimbabwe 7 1 3 3 4 8 −4
Total 31 11 8 12 46 48 −2

Coaching staff

Current coaching staff

As of January 2025

Position Name Ref.
Head coach Xavier Manuel Da Costa Chapanga

Manager history

  • Lurdes Lutonda (??–2021)
  • Souza Garcia(2021–2024)
  • Maniho Lóide Feliz(2024–2025)
  • Xavier Manuel Da Costa Chapanga (2026–present

Players

Current squad

  • The following is the squad called up for the 2026 WAFCON qualifying second round named on November 2025.[5]
  • Caps and goals accurate up to and including 7 April 2021.
No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Club
1 1GK Maria Muecália (2006-08-03) 3 August 2006 Atlético Petróleos de Luanda
12 1GK Rita José (1998-03-20) 20 March 1998 4 de Junho
16 1GK Sandrinha António C.D. Primeiro de Agosto
4 2DF Cátia Alves Atlético Petróleos de Luanda
5 2DF Margarete Salvador (2002-08-16) 16 August 2002 C.D. Primeiro de Agosto
6 2DF Emacleny Lando (2002-12-27) 27 December 2002 4 de Junho
3 2DF Manuela Simão (2002-04-04) 4 April 2002 Atlético Petróleos de Luanda
15 2DF Matondo Matuvova (2002-04-19) 19 April 2002 FC La Source
2 2DF Vanuza Francisco (2002-07-24) 24 July 2002 C.D. Primeiro de Agosto
13 2DF Graça Melinda 4 de Junho
17 2DF Vitória Fernandes (2002-06-02) 2 June 2002 Atlético Petróleos de Luanda
21 3MF Paulina Sambo (1996-12-04) 4 December 1996 Nacional de Benguela
19 3MF Ana Costa (2001-10-30) 30 October 2001 C.D. Primeiro de Agosto
22 3MF Sara Luvunga (1999-09-12) 12 September 1999 TP Mazembe
14 3MF Nety Mamadou Atlético Petróleos de Luanda
8 3MF Teresa Evaristo (1999-04-24) 24 April 1999 Atlético Petróleos de Luanda
10 3MF Lourdes Chitandula 4 de Junho
17 4FW Arminda Lopes (1999-02-10) 10 February 1999 4 de Junho
11 4FW Jocelina Kituto Atlético Petróleos de Luanda
9 4FW Alexandra Soares Asteras Tripolis
7 4FW Flora Lacho HB Køge
20 4FW Domingas Luís Atlético Petróleos de Luanda
23 4FW Cristina Makua (1995-05-14) 14 May 1995 C.D. Primeiro de Agosto
18 4FW Patrícia Seteco (1992-09-26) 26 September 1992 Ferroviária

Recent call-ups

  • The following players have been called up to an Angola squad in the past 12 months.
Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
DF Helena Ecundi (2005-03-23) 23 March 2005 - - João de Almeida v.  Zimbabwe, 20 February 2025
DF Henriqueta Luanda - - C.D. Primeiro de Agosto v.  Zimbabwe, 20 February 2025
FW Maria Viera (2007-08-17) 17 August 2007 - - Carmona SC v.  Zimbabwe, 20 February 2025
FW Candida Gunza - - C.D. Primeiro de Agosto v.  Zimbabwe, 20 February 2025
MF Rufina Pedro (2004-09-08) 8 September 2004 - - Atlético Petróleos de Luanda v.  Zimbabwe, 20 February 2025
MF Edmara José - - C.D. Primeiro de Agosto v.  Zimbabwe, 20 February 2025
MF Zeferina Caupe (1999-07-11) 11 July 1999 - - C.D. Primeiro de Agosto v.  Zimbabwe, 20 February 2025
FW Ruth Lopes (2006-03-29) 29 March 2006 - - C.D. Primeiro de Agosto v.  Zimbabwe, 20 February 2025
FW Ivone Nhanga (2002-04-02) 2 April 2002 - - Malanje Sport Clube v.  Zimbabwe, 20 February 2025

Previous squads

COSAFA Women's Championship

Records

  • Active players in bold, statistics correct as of 7 April 2021.

Honours

African Women's Championship

  • Semi-Finalist: (1) 1995

COSAFA Women's Championship

  • Runners-up: (1) 2008

Competitive record

FIFA Women's World Cup

FIFA Women's World Cup record
Year Result GP W D* L GF GA GD
1991 Did Not Enter
1995 Did not qualify
1999 Did Not Enter
2003 Did not qualify
2007
2011
2015 Did Not Enter
2019
2023 Did not qualify
2027
2031 To be determined
2035 To be determined
Total 0/12 - - - - - - -
*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

Olympic Games

Summer Olympics record
Year Result Matches Wins Draws Losses GF GA
1996 Did Not Enter
2000
2004
2008 Did not qualify
2012
2016
2021
Total 0/7 0 0 0 0 0 0

Africa Women Cup of Nations

Africa Women Cup of Nations record
Year Result Matches Wins Draws Losses GF GA
1991 Did Not Enter
1995 Semi-finals 2 0 1 1 4 6
1998 Did Not Enter
2000
2002 Group Stage 3 0 2 1 2 3
2004 Did Not Enter
2006 Did not qualify
2008 Did Not Enter
2010 Did not qualify
2012 Did Not Enter
2014
2016
2018
2020 Cancelled
2022 Did not qualify
2024 Did not qualify
Total Semi Finalist 5 0 3 2 6 9

African Games

African Games record
Year Result Matches Wins Draws Losses GF GA
2003 Did Not Enter
2007 Did not qualify
2011
2015 Did Not Enter
2019 Did not qualify
2023 To Be Determined
Total 0/6 0 0 0 0 0 0

COSAFA Women's Championship

COSAFA Women's Championship record
Year Round Pld W D* L GS GA GD
2002 did not enter
2006 Group stage
2008 Runners-Up
2011 did not enter
2017
2018
2019
2020 Group stage 3 1 1 1 5 6 −1
2021 Group stage 3 0 2 1 2 4 −2
2023 Group stage 3 1 0 2 6 4 +2
Total Group stage 9 2 3 4 13 14 −1
*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

See also

References

  1. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Women's World Ranking". FIFA. 11 December 2025. Retrieved 11 December 2025.
  2. ^ "Angola empata e é eliminada pela Namíbia". ANGOP (in European Portuguese). Retrieved 21 July 2017.
  3. ^ "Angola open COSAFA Women's Championship with victory". www.panafricafootball.com. 18 February 2026. Retrieved 27 February 2026.
  4. ^ "Angola, Botswana, Eswatini HOLLYWOODBETS COSAFA Women's Championship Profiles". COSAFA | The Council of Southern Africa Football Associations. 27 February 2026. Retrieved 27 February 2026.
  5. ^ [https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1099123259048114&set=pb.100068513511042.-2207520000&type=3 Convocatória | Selecção Sénior Feminina Qualificação para a Women’s Africa Cup of Nations – Marocco 26]
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