In late October 2009, as Manuel Fernandes bought out his contract at U.D. Leiria to return to his favorite club Vitória de Setúbal, Vidigal was named his successor. On 8 January 2011, he was appointed coach of the Angolan national side. The "Black Antelopes" qualified for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations in October, and were eliminated at the group stage of the final tournament in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.