Fredy Ribeiro stood in silence long after the final whistle at Stade Adrar. His eyes said what words could not.
Then the tears came. For Angola’s captain, the goalless draw with Egypt felt heavier than a loss, it felt like a possible farewell.
“This is difficult for me to speak,” Fredy said quietly. “Because it can be my last game for the national team.”
Angola held Egypt to a 0–0 draw on Monday night, a result full of grit but short on reward. Egypt, already through, topped Group B with seven points.
South Africa finished second. Angola, with two points, ended third and now cling to a slim hope of reaching the Round of 16 as one of the best third-placed teams.
For Fredy, the numbers barely mattered.
“I give everything to win, to qualify. I don’t know what will happen,” he said, pausing to steady himself.
At 35, the midfielder has been the heartbeat of Angolan football for more than a decade. Twelve years of leadership and sacrifice weighed heavily as he faced the possibility that this might be his last appearance in the red and black.
“I will pray for God to help us go,” he added. “I don’t want this to be my last game for my country. For 12 years I’ve fought a lot for this country. It’s difficult.”
Angola’s fate is now out of their hands. They must wait and hope that results elsewhere fall in their favour.
Comoros in Group A with two points and losses to Uganda, Tanzania in Group C and in other groups could yet keep their AFCON dream alive, a thin lifeline, but one Fredy still believes in.
On the pitch, Angola matched Egypt for long spells, defending bravely and pushing forward when chances came.
But the decisive touch never arrived. When the whistle blew, reality set in. Fredy sank to the turf, overcome, before facing the media with raw honesty.
“It’s difficult,” he said again, almost in a whisper. “Thank you very much.”
