Latest News
Nigeria’s Ibukun Aims for Angolan Double After Victory with Primeiro d’Agosto
Angola’s Nigerian-born playmaker, Ibukun Akinfenwa, is hoping to secure a double victory for his team, Primeiro d’Agosto, as they prepare to face rivals Petro Atletico Luanda in the final of the 36th edition of the Taça de Angola, also known as the Angola Cup. The match is scheduled to take place on Saturday at the Estádio 11 de Novembro in Luanda.
Having been crowned the best foreign player in the Angolan league, Ibukun is optimistic about his chances of winning the cup and ending the season on a high note. “We have worked incredibly hard to reach the final, and we are not ready to give up now,” Ibukun stated. He acknowledged the strength of the Petro Atletico team but emphasized that Primeiro d’Agosto would give their all to emerge victorious.
This will be the third encounter between Primeiro d’Agosto and Petro Atletico this season, with both teams determined to prove their superiority. The previous match ended in a goalless draw, but Primeiro d’Agosto managed to secure a 1-0 victory in the reverse fixture, ultimately clinching their 11th league title.
Ibukun’s contribution to Primeiro d’Agosto’s success cannot be underestimated. After suffering from a serious injury that kept him on the sidelines for an extended period, he returned to full fitness just in time to assist his team in winning the league title. Showing gratitude for the club’s support during his recovery, Ibukun expressed his determination to repay their faith by giving his all in the upcoming final.
To reach the final, Primeiro d’Agosto faced several challenging opponents and overcame remarkable odds. They defeated Progress with a 3-2 aggregate score in the semifinals, narrowly defeated Interclube with a 2-1 aggregate score in the quarterfinals, and staged a remarkable comeback against Academica Lobito with a 5-3 aggregate score. After losing the first leg at home 3-1, Primeiro d’Agosto managed to secure a 4-0 victory away in the second leg.
Meanwhile, Petro Atletico’s journey to the final saw them overcome strong opposition as well. They secured a 1-0 victory over Bravo Maquis in the semifinals and defeated Rita de Cassia with a 3-2 aggregate score in the quarterfinals. In the round of 16, Petro Atletico received a walkover against second division side JGM.
Primeiro d’Agosto last won the Angola Cup in 2009, while Petro Atletico’s last triumph came in 2013. As these fierce rivals prepare to face each other once again, football fans eagerly anticipate an exhilarating final that will determine this season’s cup winner.
