Gelson Dala


Jacinto "Gelson" Dala is an Angolan professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or a forward for Al-Wakrah in the Qatar Stars League.

Club career

Born in Luanda, Gelson began his career with local C.D. Primeiro de Agosto. In July 2015, it was reported that he was being scouted by Portugal's S.L. Benfica. He scored 23 goals in 27 games as his team won the Girabola in 2016, and subsequently he and teammate Ary Papel signed for Sporting Clube de Portugal for undisclosed fees on contracts with €60 million release clauses.
After arriving in Lisbon in January 2017, Gelson made his debut for Sporting B in LigaPro on 15 January, playing the full 90 minutes of a 4–0 loss at Portimonense. Eight days later he scored his first goal, opening a 1–1 home draw with S.C. Covilhã. He totalled 13 goals in 17 games in his first season in the league, including four on 2 April in a 5–1 win over S.C. Olhanense. He was first called up to Jorge Jesus' main squad for the Primeira Liga match at C.D. Feirense on 13 May, remaining unused in a 2–1 loss, but made his top flight debut eight days later in the final match of the season, replacing namesake Gelson Martins at the end of a 4–1 win over G.D. Chaves at the Estádio José Alvalade.
Back in the reserves on 30 September 2017, Gelson scored a hat-trick in a 4–3 home win over C.D. Santa Clara.

International career

Gelson made his international debut for Angola on 13 June 2015 in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualification match against the Central African Republic at the Estádio Nacional da Tundavala, scoring twice in a 4–0 victory. On 4 July, he scored both goals in a win over Swaziland in Luanda to win the tie 4–2 on aggregate in the preliminary round of 2016 African Nations Championship qualification.
On 20 January 2024, in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, he scored a brace in their 3–2 win over Mauritania. On 27 January 2024, he scored a first half brace for 10 men Angola in their Round of 16 win over Namibia.
On 3 December 2025, Dala was called up to the Angola squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Career statistics

Club

International

No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
113 June 2015Estádio Nacional da Tundavala, Lubango, Angola1–04–02017 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
213 June 2015Estádio Nacional da Tundavala, Lubango, Angola3–04–02017 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
34 July 2015Estádio 11 de Novembro, Talatona, Angola1–02–02016 African Nations Championship qualification
44 July 2015Estádio 11 de Novembro, Talatona, Angola2–02–02016 African Nations Championship qualification
524 October 2015Estádio 11 de Novembro, Talatona, Angola1–11–22016 African Nations Championship qualification
613 November 2015Estadio Nacional de Ombaka, Benguela, Angola1–01–32018 FIFA World Cup qualification
721 January 2016Stade Huye, Butare, Rwanda1–32–42016 African Nations Championship
83 September 2016Estádio 11 de Novembro, Talatona, Angola1–11–12017 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
910 June 2017Stade du 4 Août, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso1–11–32019 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
109 September 2018Estádio 11 de Novembro, Talatona, Angola1–01–02019 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
1112 October 2018Estádio 11 de Novembro, Talatona, Angola4–14–12019 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
1213 October 2020Estádio Municipal de Rio Maior, Rio Maior, Portugal3–03–0Friendly
131 June 2022Estádio 11 de Novembro, Talatona, Angola2–12–12023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
145 June 2022Mahamasina Municipal Stadium, Antananarivo, Madagascar2–11–12023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
1513 October 2023Estádio Municipal de Albufeira, Albufeira, Portugal1–11–1Friendly
1610 January 2024Police Officers' Club Stadium, Dubai, United Arab Emirates2–03–0Friendly
1720 January 2024Stade de la Paix, Bouaké, Ivory Coast1–03–22023 Africa Cup of Nations
1820 January 2024Stade de la Paix, Bouaké, Ivory Coast2–13–22023 Africa Cup of Nations
1927 January 2024Stade de la Paix, Bouaké, Ivory Coast1–03–02023 Africa Cup of Nations
2027 January 2024Stade de la Paix, Bouaké, Ivory Coast2–03–02023 Africa Cup of Nations
2125 March 2025Estádio 11 de Novembro, Talatona, Angola1–11–22026 FIFA World Cup qualification
2226 December 2025Marrakesh Stadium, Marrakesh, Morocco1–01–12025 Africa Cup of Nations

Honours

Angola
  • Four Nations Tournament bronze medal: 2018