Luanda: Angola celebrates on Wednesday the 20th anniversary of its unprecedented qualification for the 2026 World Cup in Germany. The historic feat took place on October 8th at the Amahoro International Stadium in Rwanda, with a goal by Akwa, considered one of the most important goals of the “Palancas Negras.”

According to Angola Press News Agency, the former captain’s goal also marked the unprecedented qualification of Portuguese-speaking African countries for world football’s biggest competition, after decades of failed attempts. At the time, Akwa was the most prominent name in the national team, which had the least chance of reaching the World Cup, but ended up surprising the group’s strong contenders such as Nigeria, Algeria, and Gabon.

Throughout the campaign, Angola recorded a total of 7 wins, 2 draws, and 1 loss in ten matches. The group that competed in the qualifiers, coached by Oliveira Gon§alves, included key players like Joo Ricardo, Marito, Lam¡, Yamba Asha, Andr© Macanga, Gilberto, and many others.

Angola was placed in Group B, along with the national teams of Algeria, Gabon, Nigeria, Rwanda, and Zimbabwe. The qualifying results were notable, with Angola achieving crucial victories, including a memorable 1-0 win against Nigeria and a decisive 3-0 victory over Gabon.

Twenty years after this historic achievement, the Palancas Negras are participating in the qualifying round for the Americas World Cup, with almost no chance of replicating their 2006 success. This Wednesday, October 8, the national team plays another qualifying match against Eswatini, although only to fulfill the schedule. The team is currently far from the possibility of reaching the World Cup of the Americas in 2026, in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, with a balance of 8 games, 2 wins, 2 losses, and 4 draws, totaling 10 points, 9 less than the group leader, Cape Verde, which has 19 points.