With Angola having thumped Bafana Bafana to clinch the 2025 COSAFA trophy, manager Pedro Soares Gonçalves has revealed an important message he issued to his players.
On Sunday, Angola were crowned COSAFA Cup champions after a comprehensive 3-0 win over hosts South Africa.
It was Angola’s fifth COSAFA Cup title, tying them with South Africa as the tournament’s joint-third most successful team.
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Even more impressive, it was Angola manager Pedro Soares Gonçalves’ second successive COSAFA Cup crown, having also won the 2024 edition with a resounding 5-0 victory over Namibia in the final.
The Portuguese boss has since revealed that he told his players the main goal had already been achieved before defeating Bafana in the final.
“Thank you, and congrats, first of all, to all the players, those who are here and those who were part of the camp back in Angola,” said Gonçalves, according to O-FM.
He added: “At the beginning, we told the players this was an opportunity to play competitive matches in a competitive environment. COSAFA gave us a wonderful platform to play and develop as a team.
“These were very competitive situations that allowed us to grow. The main goal was already achieved before the final.
“I told the players that. Now it was about making history, enjoying the moment, the atmosphere, and just playing football. We wanted to put our names in the story.”
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By Lukhanyo Mtuta
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