Petro de Luanda head coach Alexandre Santos believes the African Football League (AFL) is an
opportunity to sell the continent’s game to the world, and show that African football has grown and evolved.
The record Angolan champions are one of eight teams who will compete in the inaugural edition of the annual tournament that brings together the top teams in the continent.
“The best opportunity to showcase African football is now,” Santos says.
He adds; “The African Football League is one of the best things I have seen in the continent. It is an opportunity for us to show the world what African football is about because there are a lot of good players and good teams in Africa and we are all excited for this project and we can’t wait for it to start.”
Santos has been hugely successful during his two year stay in the capital with Petro, having won back to back league and cup titles. He also took the team into the semi finals of the Total Energies CAF Champions League in his first season and also saw them get to the group stages last term.
In the AFL, the Portuguese tactician hopes he can have as much success as he has had domestically and in the Champions League.
Petro have been paired with South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns and the coach is optimistic they have what it takes to get through the first hurdle.
“We are facing the best teams in Africa and we have to be strong in every aspect and moments of the game. The small details will be very important because they can make a difference at this high level. But we will be ready to compete,” the coach said.
Meanwhile, he hopes their colorful fans will come in handy and give them the necessary push in their home matches, saying he has been frequently impressed at how loud they can get just to push the team.
“They (fans) always want to win, no matter who we are playing against. I hope they really make their presence felt in this competition because we need them,” the tactician noted.
Petro is Angola’s most successful club and they hope to make their mark in the AFL.
