Angola pull off stunning comeback to reach Futsal AFCON final

Angola’s Palancas Negras produced a stunning second-half comeback to beat Algeria 3-2 and reach the final of the TotalEnergies CAF Futsal Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026.

The result sends the 2024 runners-up into a second consecutive final.

Algeria, playing in their first semi-final at their first tournament, made life difficult for Angola. Mathieu Hammad put the debutants ahead with a stunning free-kick after nine minutes, and Ait Hamadouce doubled the lead on the stroke of half-time.

Angola did not panic. Aderito Santos pulled one back midway through the second half to restore belief, before Hornes Santo drew them level five minutes from time.

With extra-time looming, Francisco Chico — known as Chico — settled it two minutes from the end with a clever finish to complete the turnaround from 2-0 down at the Salle Moulay Abdellah in Rabat on Monday.

Hornes Santo said: First of all, I thank God for everything he has done in my life. It was a wonderful feeling. I’m so happy, I can’t explain what I’m feeling right now.

We never give up. We always believe. The game only finishes when the clock reaches zero.

For Hornes, it is a first final, and a chance for Angola to go one better than their runners-up finish in 2024 when they lost to Morocco.

I’m here to become a champion. I’m not here to visit Morocco, I’m here to compete. This is my time.

Algeria’s Ait Hamadouche said he was proud despite missing out on the final:

We had a good first half and took a 1-0 lead, but we knew our opponents well. They are used to coming back from behind.

I think we lacked experience. Perhaps we could have done better, but overall, we still had a good tournament. I am proud of the boys. We have worked hard, and this is a first for us.

 
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