Africa-Press – Angola. The athletes’ mental strength before and during the games will determine Petro de Luanda’s victory in the final phase of the African Basketball League (BAL), from the 20th to the 27th of this month, in the Rwandan city of Kigali.
According to the “tricolor” coach, José Neto, in statements to the press, at the end of the first training session, in Luanda, after qualifying for the final stage of the competition, this psychological condition will allow the players to be concentrated and with less possibility of errors. .
In his opinion, without neglecting the physical and tactical-technical aspect of the group, at this point the basketball player is mentalized for the best behavior on the court, regardless of the game frame.
José Neto said that it was not by chance that Petro ended the initial phase (Nilo Conference) undefeated, with 463 points scored in five games.
He added that they have a balanced group in all positions, but that, on the other hand, African basketball has evolved a lot, citing as an example the elimination of Monastir from Tunisia, title champions.
In turn, the team’s captain, Carlos Morais, defended the need for Petro to maintain the collective game, putting individualism on the back burner.
The best scorer, with 34 points, in the last duel against Al Ahly of Egypt, said that the mental strength of the team allowed them to reach the first position of the Nile Conference.
He said that expectations are high, however the group should enter calmly for the confrontation against ABC of Côte D’Ivoire, for the quarter-finals, so that they have all the discernment to win the match.
In the first two editions of this continental competition, since it adopted the League system, sponsored by FIBA-Africa and FIBA-Mundo, Petro was ranked third in 2021 and runner-up in 2022.
Quarter-final matches:
day 20
Mali-Cape Town Tigers Stade Malien (BK Arena, 9am)
Al Ahly Sporting Club-Rwanda Energy Group (BK Arena, 12:30pm)
Day 21
Association Sportive des Douanes-Clube Ferroviário da Beira (BKArena, 9am)
Petro de Luanda-ABC da Cotê D’Ivoire (BK Arena, 21h).
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