Preview: Angola vs Libya - prediction, team news, lineups

Two teams aiming to keep pace with the frontrunners in their bracket will face off on Thursday as Angola welcome Libya to Estadio Nacional 11 de Novembro for round seven of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in Africa.

Only one point separates both nations, with the hosts sitting fourth in Group D on seven while the North African visitors hold a slender edge above them.

Match preview

Six points adrift of leaders Cape Verde and five behind Cameroon in second, Angola step into this clash knowing that anything short of victory would all but end their qualification hopes.

In search of maximum points, Pedro Goncalves will be desperate to resolve his team’s inability to turn stalemates into triumphs, with the Palancas Negras drawing four of their six matches so far in the tournament.

Since edging Eswatini 1-0 on matchday three, the Black Sable Antelopes have failed to win again in the World Cup qualifiers, and matters grew worse in their most recent outing in the competition.

Angola suffered a 2-1 home defeat to Cape Verde at De Novembro, a result that not only marked their only loss in the qualifiers but also the first time the Palancas Negras conceded more than once.

It is fair to say they have been defensively reliable, letting in just four goals, but with only as many scored at the other end, there is urgent work to be done in attack for Goncalves, who would be looking to steer his team to victory on Thursday.

Since that setback in the March international window, Angola as a footballing nation have experienced a bittersweet run, celebrating a COSAFA Cup triumph while also crashing out in the group stage of the African Nations Championship.

Their most recent outing ended in a 2-0 defeat to DR Congo in CHAN on August 14, leaving the East Africans with only one win in their last five fixtures, including one friendly.

Libya, meanwhile, have been inactive since their 3-1 defeat to Cameroon in March’s World Cup qualifiers and have since undergone a change of leadership in the dugout.

New manager Aliou Cisse, despite not having the luxury of an exhibition match to prepare, should not be underestimated given his impressive credentials.

Cisse spent a decade with the Senegalese national team, steering them to two World Cups and delivering their maiden continental crown in 2021, so Libya have in their dugout a manager who certainly knows his onions.

Not the worst job to take on for the 49-year-old either, with the Mediterranean Knights still within striking distance of qualification as they sit five points off top spot and four behind second, having claimed two wins, two draws and two defeats while conceding seven and scoring six.

However, it remains to be seen whether Libya can collect all three points against an Angola side they could only share the spoils with in March, as their reverse fixture at Benina Martyrs Stadium ended in a 1-1 draw.

Angola World Cup Qualifying - Africa form:

Angola form (all competitions):

Libya World Cup Qualifying - Africa form:

Libya form (all competitions):

Team News

Angola coach Goncalves has a 26-man group to select from for Thursday’s opener in the September double-header.

Poland-based striker Capita, making his return after last featuring with two caps in 2021, and seasoned defender Jonathan Buatu, absent since last November’s AFCON qualifiers, have both been handed recalls.

The Black Sable Antelopes will, however, be without two of their most influential forwards, with Mabululu and Gedson Dala sidelined through injury.

That leaves much of the attacking burden on Depu, who boasts an impressive record of 15 goals in 17 appearances for the national team.

Libya boss Cisse has also named a 26-man roster, which includes the return of senior figures such as striker Hamdou Elhouni and defender Mohammed Al-Munir.

Experienced midfielder Faisal Al Badri is now just six matches away from equalling Ahmed Saad Osman’s national record of 80 caps and should feature on Thursday to edge closer.

One of the surprise exclusions is Hamburg defender Daniel Al-Fadhli, who is among a crop of Libyan professionals in Europe overlooked for this camp.

Angola possible starting lineup:

Nebul: Hossi, Buantu, Gasper, Bondo; Show, Fredy, Nteka; Benson, Depu, Zini

Libya possible starting lineup:

Al-Wuheeshi; Al-Shiteewi, Sabbou, Saleh, Al-Dhawi; Al Badri, Hassan, Al-Shuraimi, Ellafi; Krawa'a, Mansour

We say: Angola 1-1 Libya

The two sides have locked horns five times with a win apiece, both teams’ victories coming on Angolan soil, but with the other three encounters all ending 1-1, we are tipping the same outcome here.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.