Orlando Pirates star snubbed from Angola AFCON squad | OneFootball

Bucs loanee omitted from Angola AFCON team

Photo: Gilberto

Orlando Pirates loanee Miguel Deivi Vieira, popularly known as Gilberto, has been snubbed from the Angola squad that will participate in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) later this month.

While the 24-year-old forward was in the preliminary squad named by head coach Patrice Beaumelle, he didn't earn a place in the Frenchman's final team due to rife competition.

This raised a few eyebrows as the player had been integral for the Palancas Negras, and was one of their household names in the previous AFCON in Ivory Coast.

In addition to Gilberto, Depu, who currently plies his trade in Poland for Radomiak, was also omitted from the team, with Beaumelle building a new-look side.

The on-loan Pirates star is currently in the books of Angolan heavyweights Petro de Luanda and his loan deal is set to expire at the end of this month.

Upon his return to Luanda, he won the Girabola league title last season and the Angolan Super Cup at the beginning of the 2025/26 campaign.

Meanwhile, Kaizer Chiefs defender Miguel Inacio is also not part of the squad as he couldn't even make the preliminary team, despite Amakhosi's improved defensive record.

Prominent names like To Carneiro, David Carmo, Gaspar, Gelson Dala, Mbala Zola, Chico Banza, Zito Luvumbo, Manuel Benson and Mabululu made the cut, among others.

Angola will commence their campaign against South Africa on December 22, before facing Zimbabwe four days later and Egypt on December 29.