Angolan giants ready to start from scratch
PETRO de Luanda have a burgeoning thirst brewing inside of them. It’s a thirst that can be quenched by winning a trophy at the continental level.
The Angolan super club last saw an African title decorate their trophy cabinet eight years ago (2015). So after a couple of near misses, could this be the year their continental trophy drought ends?
In the last two editions of the Basketball Africa League (BAL), the two-time FIBA African Club Champions Cup winners have fallen short at the knockout phases of the competition. Instead of living by the creed of third time being a charm, the Angolan club’s coach Josè Neto feels his team needs to start from scratch.
“Yes, we made it to the semi-final in the first edition and the final in the last edition. But we are not entitled to anything in the third edition. We have to start from the bottom. Then we have to try and climb our way to the top,” said the Brazilian coach on Thursday.
Petro are in the middle of their domestic league, and the consistent run of games serves as good preparation for the BAL, which tips off in Dakar, Senegal (11-21 March). Under Neto’s guidance, the 15-time Angolan league champions have gone on a 59-game unbeaten run domestically, which ended after a 97-95 loss to Inter Clube.
Neto attributes their brilliant run of form to the system in place at the club.
“We are in our third season and had our first loss after 60 games last month. So, one loss after 60 games is a testament to the quality of the work we have been doing. It’s not just the defeat and the wins. It is also how we have been playing. It shows that it works for us,” said the two-time Angolan league-winning coach. “So our style of play gives us hope that we are on the right track and can continue winning games.
“Also, consistency is important, in my opinion. So once we have established that and every player understands how we want to play, it’s a big push forward.”
As Petro prepares to capture a maiden BAL title, they bolstered their squad with a couple of signings. Landing the services of Cote d’Ivoire super star point guard Solo Diabate and American-born small forward Damian Hollis could significantly improve the chances of the Angolan club.
Diabate, especially, comes with a championship pedigree. The 35-year-old won his first two BAL titles with Zamalek (Egypt) and US Monastir (Tunisia). Neto intimated that Diabate’s joining is crucial to the team, especially as he has developed a knack for winning.
“He knows what it feels like to win. Diabate has played at this level before, so we are thrilled to have him as part of our group and look forward to whatever positive contributions he might bring to the team,” said the 2022 BAL coach of the year. “
The Ivorian has joined experienced heads like the legendary Carlos Morais, Jone Pedro, Childe Dundao and Gerson Goncalves, who form the core of the Petro squad. The Angolan internationals played in the first two BAL competitions, and Neto says the quartet add value to the team.
“Not only have they adjusted to our way of playing, but also they have helped to pass knowledge to other players. They are like my echo to new players on how I would want the team to play,” said Neto, who won the 2014 FIBA Intercontinental title. “Only two teams have played all editions of the BAL. That is Petro and Monastir. In our club, four players have been part of this process. You would think them still being here would weaken us, but instead, they have been key in helping other players buy into our system.”
Petro, who are in the Nile Conference, which takes place in Egypt (26 April – 6 May), will face off against host club Al Ahly, Cape Town Tigers (South Africa), Ferroviario da Beira (Mozambique), City Oilers (Uganda) and Guinea’s Seydou Legacy Athletique Club (SLAC).
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Neto acknowledged that his team is in a tricky group as their opponents, the Tigers, SLAC, and Ferroviario, have gone through the journey of the Road To BAL qualifiers. So it is not by chance that the three teams are in the mix. He also expects Egyptian champions and league debutants Al Ahly to give a good showing on home soil.
“It’s not an easy group by any stretch of the imagination. We are in a tough group. Out of the five teams, three made it through the qualifiers. So they know what the BAL is about. Al Ahly are at home and will try to make the most of their advantage,” said Neto, a FIBA Americas League winner in 2014. “We must approach each game like a final and not think about getting to that stage. Every game we play, we should treat it as a step toward a higher goal.
“We should not get ahead of ourselves and think about the final. If we do, we may never get there this season.”
The BAL may be a few weeks away, but Neto his team has the right ingredients: a winning attitude and a hunger to win more.
“One of the strengths in this team is the desire to win. The players are thirsty for victory. They have developed and enjoy a culture of winning. So, naturally there is a thirst for more,” concluded the successful Neto.
