Angola vs Cape Verde

Cape Verde has a golden opportunity to bolster their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign when they face Angola on Tuesday in a crucial Group D showdown. Currently, Cape Verde leads the group standings, while Angola sits in fourth place—but the tight nature of the group means the hosts could still climb to second with a strong result.

Angola missed their chance to move into third after a hard-fought 1-1 draw with Libya on Thursday. However, their resilience was on full display as they scored a dramatic stoppage-time equalizer. That result extended their streak of draws in World Cup qualifying—six in their last seven matches.

Meanwhile, Cape Verde secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Mauritius thanks to a late goal, propelling them to the top of the group after Cameroon dropped points. They now hold a one-point lead and will look to widen the gap. While this win ended a five-match winless streak (including three losses), Cape Verde has been strong in World Cup qualifying, suffering just one defeat in their last nine matches.

Their only recent loss came in an away fixture against Cameroon. Historically, this will be just the second competitive meeting between Angola and Cape Verde—the first ended in a 2-1 win for Cape Verde, followed by a goalless draw in these qualifiers.

Angola's last game was an away game against Libya. The World Cup qualifier at Martyrs of Benina Stadium ended in a 1-1 tie, although Fredy gave the Black Sable Antelopes a late equalizer.

Yannick Semedo scored the game-winning goal as Cape Verde defeated Mauritius 1-0 in their most recent World Cup qualifying match.

The most recent head-to-head match between Angola and Cape Verde ended in a 0-0 tie. In November 2023, Estádio Nacional de Cabo Verde hosted a World Cup qualifying match.

Currently occupying fourth position in the rankings, Angola is playing strong defense. With six victories, three ties, and only one loss in their previous 10 games, the team's overall record is excellent. On average, the "Black Antelopes" score 1.5 goals per game and give up just 0.5 goals. Angola frequently draws games in spite of these impressive statistics, which can be a crucial element in their next matchup. They can reduce mistakes and hold onto their lead thanks to their style of play, which emphasizes ball control and conservative defense.

The national team's overall performance has been poor, with three victories and six defeats in their previous ten games, despite Cape Verde's surprising victory in Group D. The team still regularly scores in the majority of games, posing a threat to any defense. The "Blue Sharks" are renowned for their aggressive style of play and emphasis on quick counterattacks. Despite their poor defense, which gives up an average of 1.1 goals per game, they can always surprise opponents with a goal.