The Palancas Negras (Sable Antelopes) left a poor impression on the field and an ugly one off it as they lost out to Sudan in the race to finish second in Group B behind Ivory Coast.
Their performance suggested that, despite the recent signing of Brazilian World Cup winner Rivaldo by an Angolan club, the country's football is on a downhill slope after a promising few years which saw them reach the 2006 World Cup.
"We managed to overcome all the difficulties with swagger, intelligence and effort," said Vidigal, following the 2-0 defeat to Ivory Coast which condemned his side to an early trip home.
"This was a fantastic group. They showed that they are real champions."
"I have great pride in working for Angola. We always put Angola first," added the dour Vidigal, whose media conferences consisted of generic answers about team spirit, respect for the opposition and the importance of hard work.
Angola's 600-odd travelling fans, whose trip was subsidised by their government, were among the most colourful at the tournament and the blaring trumpets of their band brought atmosphere to their three games even when the Estadio Nuevo de Malabo was half-empty.
The sting in the tail came after Monday's game when Angolan riot police marched into the interview area outside the dressing room to keep them apart from the country's journalists, who were armed with nothing more sinister than microphones and cameras.
