Africa-Press – Angola. With the preparation work practically concluded, Petro de Luanda will carry out, today, the last training session, in which the coach José Neto will make the last corrections, before facing tomorrow, from 13:30, the AS Salé of Morocco, for the first game of the quarter-finals of the Basketball African League (BAL).
During the three-day stay in the city of Kigali, which is already infected with the atmosphere of the continental basketball festival, the Brazilian coach focused more on the work on improving the physical component, without putting aside the technical and tactical aspects, with emphasis on quick transitions between defense and attack, always favoring the movement of the ball in all areas of play.
Setting up blocks to make it easier to win rebounds, both offensively and defensively, also deserved the attention of the coach who, once again, “did” the Angolan assistants, namely, Aníbal Moreira and Víctor Rafael de Carvalho, both former internationals for Angola. , were invited by the club’s management to watch, from the bench, the final phase of BAL, thus increasing the number of supporters who will be present at the Kigali Arena, whenever the Angolan representative takes action. , the capital of the country, Luanda.
The technicians mentioned above had failed to attend the Nile Conference, held in the first half of March, in Cairo, capital of Egypt.
However, by virtue of the competition regulations, the technical teams cannot exceed three elements, and José Neto preferred, once again, the countrymen.
The atmosphere within the group has been one of pure relaxation, given that with the start of the competition approaching, expectations grow.
The coach has also worked on the psychological component, so that anxiety does not take over the team, which is strongly committed to winning the African title.
Players like Carlos Morais, Leonel Paulo, Olímpio Cipriano and Jone Lopes Pedro will seek to target the younger ones during the competition, which is expected to be very competitive.
After winning the bronze medal in the last edition, the Eixo-Viário team wants to reach first place on the podium.
Egypt’s Zamalek, executioner of Petro de Luanda, at the Nilo Conference, is the current holder of the African crown.
Trio Of Contenders For The Title
The teams of Zamalek of Egypt, current African champion, US Monastir of Tunisia, runner-up, and Petro de Luanda, bronze medal, are being pointed out by the critics, as the main candidates to conquer the African title.
In the race is also the home team of Rwanda Energy Group (REG).
Despite making their debut in a competition of the kind, the Rwandans of the REG ravaged their competitors during the Sahara Conference dispute, beating top-rated teams such as US Monastir from Tunisia and AS Salé from Morocco, respectively.
This performance achieved by the illustrious “unknown” increased the belief of the population, who believe in winning the African title.
Referees Close Refresher Course
The eight referees appointed by FIBA-Africa, in order to whistle in the second edition of the Basketball African League (BAL), end today, the refresher action, before going into action in the competition.
These are Wael Mostafa, Sara Elsharnouby, both from Egypt, Leslie Cherubin, from Mauritania, Jean Ruhamiriza, from Rwanda, Yann Davidson, from Madagascar, Mahamadou Diallo (Mali), Kalume Tonton Banza (Democratic Republic of Congo), in addition to of the Angolan referee, António Bernardo.
For two days the judges talked about the new refereeing rules, so that they can live up to expectations.
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