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Angola national team. Photo by Steindy on

10 Best Football (Soccer) Players from Angola

Angola, an African country in Central Africa is known for producing high-quality talented players in various sports. Several soccer players represent the Angolan national team and play for top clubs. Angola national team appeared in the finals of the FIFA World Cup on one occasion that is in 2006.

They made history in 2006 since becoming a member of FIFA in 1980. However, they did not proceed further in that World Cup. Angola was eliminated in the Group stages after a defeat by Portugal, and two draws against Mexico and Iran.

In their run during the 2006 World Cup, Flavio scored the first and only goal for Angola in the tournament. Angola failed to secure a spot in the 2022 Qatar FIFA World Cup but they are hoping to work hard and participate in the 2026 World Cup.

Here are the 10 Best Football (Soccer) Players from Angola:

1. Flavio da Silva Amado

Better known as Flavio, da Silva Amado is a retired Angolan soccer player who was a striker. He is currently the assistant of the Angolan side Petro Atletico. The career of Flavio was admirable as he was a vicious striker that scored several goals for fun.

He never had a great career in terms of playing for top European clubs, but with the clubs, he played for, he scored multiple goals and helped his team a lot. Flavio is famous with his national team due to his extraordinary performances during the 2006 World Cup.

In the World Cup, Flavio scored the first and only goal for Angola in this tournament. This goal came through a header against Iran to earn them a draw. Flavio also scored three goals for Angola in the African Cup of Nations Egypt 2006.

2. Joao Ricardo

Gran Maestro João Ricardo. Photo by Gisella Mariana on

Born as Joao Ricardo Pereira Batalha Santos Ferreira a son of Portuguese settlers in Angola, is a retired soccer player who played as a goalkeeper. Joao was a very versatile goalkeeper who played for top clubs abroad but did not manage to play for top European clubs.

He was a naturally gifted goalkeeper whose reflexes were so impressive and his commanding voice was always heard and directed to his defenders. Joao was part of the infamous Angolan national team that participated in the 2006 World Cup.

3. Akwá

Fabrice Alcebiades Maieco who was commonly known as Akwá is a former soccer player who played as a forward. He is most known for his versatility in front of the goal and how he used to beat the defenders with pace to score.

Akwá are his international debut in 1995 and played for his country several times scoring a record 39 goals. He captained his side in the 2006 FIFA World Cup and also played in three Africa Cup of Nations.

4. Zé Kalanga

Paulo Baptista Nsimba who was nicknamed Zé Kalanga is a famous former winger and professional soccer player. His career began at Bristol City where he developed into a fine and intelligent player who later moved to a new top team.

Zè Kalanga is famous for his performances in the 2006 World Cup with the Angola national team which sold him well. During the match against Iran, Kalanga set up Flavio who scored their first goal earning him a man of the match award.

5. Pedro Manuel Torres

Given the nickname Mantorras, Pedro Manuel Torres is a famous Angolan football player who was a renowned striker. Mantorras began his professional career at Benfica where he starred because how he was a huge threat in front of the goal.

He was part of the Angolan squad that participated in the 2006 FIFA World Cup. In 2001, Mantorras played in the FIFA World Youth Championships in Argentina.

6. Clinton Mata

Clinton Mukoni Mata Pedro Lourenco is a professional soccer player who plays for the Belgian side Club Brugge. He was born in Belgium but plays for Angola national team as a right-back.

Having a small stature and physique, Clinton Mata is a typical modern-day right-back who loved getting to the opposition penalty area and scoring. He has pace, and strength and crosses the ball well into the box for his teammates to score.

7. Helder Costa

Helder Wander Sousa de Azevedo e Costa is a professional winger who plays for Al Ittihad on loan from Leeds United. Costa began his career in Portugal where he played for the Benfica club before heading out to France.

His professional career has been summed up with multiple loan moves to clubs across Europe including Wolverhampton Wanderers. Costa is a modern winger who is blessed with pace, aggressiveness and skills that he uses to beat his opponents on occasion. He began his international career representing Portugal but opted to present Angola later.

8. M’Bala Nzola

M’Bala Nzola. Photo by Prugna on

Nzola is an Angolan professional footballer who plays as a striker for Serie A side Spezia. He was raised in France and had the option to represent the French national team but opted to represent Angola.

M’Bala is a goal-scoring machine who has the opportunity to become a world-class player. His great physique is a major positive as he uses it to bully his way through the goal and make his mark.

He started presenting the Angola national team in 2021 making five appearances and scoring two goals.

9. Lucas Joao

Lucas Joao. Photo by Ardfern on  

Lucas Eduardo dos Santos Joao, a striker who plays for the English Championship club Reading is another top professional Angolan footballer. He is a towering striker who previously played for Blackburn Rovers.

At the beginning of his career, Lucas represented Portugal’s national team. However, in 2022, he decided to represent the Angolan national team. He is an influential player who has scored several goals for his club over the seasons he played for them.

10. Wilson Eduardo

Wilson Bruno Naval da Costa. Photo by Football.ua on

Born Wilson Bruno Naval da Costa Eduardo, Bruno is a professional soccer player who plays as a forward for the Turkish club Alanyaspor. His career began in Portugal where he was moulded into a top striker who scored goals for fun. In 197 matches, he scored 51 goals which was a good return.

Wilson has also played in top clubs across Europe where he kept on scoring several goals. At the youth level, he represented the Portugal national team. However, in 2019, Wilson Bruno Naval da Costa Eduardo decided to represent Angola’s national team.