Angola: Football - Petro De Luanda Aim At Victory in Girabola's Kick Off Round

20 August 2026
Angola Press Agency (Luanda)

Luanda — Petro de Luanda coach, João Pedro Sousa, considered it important to maintain the winning cycle when facing away the Desportivo da Lunda-Sul squad on Friday (21), in the 1st round of the first division National Football Championship (Girabola 2026/27) at the Sagrada Esperança stadium in Dundo town.

In a press conference on Thursday (20), in Luanda, the coach said he is confident in the strategy of presenting a tactically offensive and secure team, as Petro de Luanda have the mission to maintain the winning cycle in the pursuit of their objectives.

Petro's coach expressed the need for the squad to evolve and improve in each challenge, especially on the sidelines, after drawing conclusions from the Super Cup match won last Sunday (16) against Wiliete.

According to João Sousa, despite anticipating a difficult match due to the defensive quality and pressure from the opposing team in the last season, he stated that both squads possess strategic quality capable of altering their playing style.

Follow us on WhatsApp | LinkedIn for the latest headlines

Regarding the squad, he assured that central defender Kinito will continue serving his second match suspension, while the remaining players are fit for the clash.

Meanwhile, goalkeeper Hugo Marques stated that he maintains the same determination and focus on the work developed to have an excellent season.

Regarding the milestone of 150 matches in the service of Petro de Luanda, he highlighted nutrition and mental discipline as the main challenges of his longevity, as well as humility and daily obligations.

First Round Fixture

Saturday (22nd) 3pm

1º de Agosto vs. Desportivo da Huíla at the França Ndalu stadium;

Bravos do Maquis vs. Sagrada Esperança at Mundunduleno stadium;

Wiliete de Benguela vs Académica do Lobito at the Ombaka stadium;

FC de Cabinda vs. Recreativo do Libolo at the Vici António stadium.

Sunday (23) 3pm

1º de Maio de Benguela vs Kabuscorp do Palanca at the Edelfrides da Costa Miau stadium;

São Salvador vs Interclube at Álvaro Buta;

FC de Luanda vs. Recreativo da Caála at França Ndalu.

Read the original article on ANGOP.

Tagged:
Copyright © 2026 Angola Press Agency. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.

AllAfrica publishes around 600 reports a day from more than 90 news organizations and over 500 other institutions and individuals, representing a diversity of positions on every topic. We publish news and views ranging from vigorous opponents of governments to government publications and spokespersons. Publishers named above each report are responsible for their own content, which AllAfrica does not have the legal right to edit or correct.

Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica. To address comments or complaints, please Contact us.