28th May, 2012
Recreativo do Libolo basketball club, launched in 2008, have joined the elite in Angolan basketball as they claimed a 91-82 victory over Primeiro D’Agosto to capture the domestic championship at the weekend.
Since the inception of domestic league in Angola, no other side from outside the capital of Luanda had ever won the title, so Recreativo do Libolo have made history having originated from Kwanza Sul province, which is 310km from the capital, but due to a lack of infrastructure, Libolo play their home games in Luanda.
Raul Duarte, Libolo’s coach, told FIBA.com: “We have worked very hard throughout the season to secure the title.”
Asked whether Primeiro D’Agosto were in decline, Duarte said: “The only thing I know is that they had good signings, including Reggie Moore, Leonel Paulo and Domingos Bonifácio, three of our former players.
“And they signed a coach with an impressive history on the national and international stage.
“Our team was very humble throughout the season, but very hard working.”
Libolo finished seventh in last year’s African Clubs Cup in Rabat, Morocco.
“I will have a meeting with the club board and show them that we need strength some points of team including playmaker and center positions,” Duarte said.
Asked about the performances of some of the national team’s players throughout the national league, Duarte said: “Eduardo Mingas showed some improvement in the last games of the season, whereas Joaquim Gomes and Felizardo Ambrosio may recover.
“They will have a break now and I am certain they will come back stronger for the national team.”
—Bamidele Olowosagba