The first side to announce their lineup for the tournament in the Ivory Coast next month is Angola, who brought back forwards Jeremie Bela and Mbala Nzola to their squad for the African Cup of Nations finals.
Coach Pedro Goncalves announced the names of 23 players on Monday, even though the Confederation of African Football announced last week that the 27 participating nations will be permitted to field squads of 27 players for the January 13 finals.
Due to injuries that have limited his playing time for Ligue 1’s bottom club Clermont Foot this season, Bela—who was formerly at Birmingham City—last played for Angola two years ago. His participation is surprising.
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Fiorentina’s Nzola had been coerced to play for Angola after refusing to play for the team over the past month over inadequate logistical plans for the team’s final Cup of Nations qualifiers in June.
Helder Costa, a former Portugal international who left Leeds United earlier this season, was not included in the squad.
Ivan Cavaleiro, another former Portugal international, switched allegiance to Angola earlier this year but failed to make his debut and was left off the roster despite multiple call-ups.
Previously signed with Fulham, Cavaleiro requested not to be considered because he struggled with injury at French club Lille this season.
Angola will play in Group D of the Cup of Nations finals, first facing Algeria in Bouake on January 15 and then facing Burkina Faso and Mauritania on January 16.
Angola Full Squad
Goalkeepers:
Antonio Dominique (Etoile Carouge), Kadu (Oliveira Hospital), Neblu (Premiero Agosto)
Defenders:
Eddie Afonso (Petro Atletico), Loide Augusto (Alanyaspor), Jonathan Buatu (Valenciennes), Tó Carneiro (Petro Atletico), Núrio Fortuna, (Gent), Kialonda Gaspar (Estrela Amadora), Kinito (Petro Atletico)
Midfielders:
Beni (Casa Pia), Estrela (Erzurumspor), Fredy (Eyupspor), Keliano Manuel (Estrela Amadora), Bruno Paz (Konyaspor) Show (Maccabi Haifa)
Forwards:
Jeremie Bela (Clermont, Foot), Gelson Dala (Al Wakrah), Zito Luvumbo (Cagliari), Mabululu (Al Ittihad), Milson (Maccabi Tel Aviv), Zine (AEK Athens), M’bala Zola (Fiorentina).