Former Angolan champs Petro Atletico de Luanda in Namibia

FORMER Angolan champions Petro Atletico de Luanda are expected in Namibia today for a two-week pre-season training camp in Windhoek.

Petro Atletico finished in third place to champions Inter FC (which is a Police side) and runners-up Premeiro Agosto, who have two Namibians Meraai Swartbooi and Letu Shatimuene on their books. The Luanda-based outfit are no strangers to Namibia as they visited the country on four occasions in the past.First to play a friendly series which saw them thrashing relegated Premier League outfit Young Ones FC 7-0 at the former Katutura Stadium, shortly after Namibia’s Independence.They had a date with the star-studded Black Africa, which fielded ex-national team players like Lucky ‘Thindwa’ Boostander, Cosmos ‘Indies’ Damaseb, Eric ‘MasterBlaster’ Quest, the late Bernard ‘Kae Kapa Kae’ Diocotlhe and current coach Smithley ‘Chacklas’ Engelbrecht, in the Africa Champions League in the mid-90s.They made small change of former Namibian champions Blue Waters in the preliminary round of the Champions League, in their second official international clash against their Namibian counterparts in the early 2000s.The Angolan giants were also responsible for the short stay of three-time Namibian champions Civics FC in last year’s Champions League campaign, after they first defeated the Bethlehem Boys by a solitary goal in Luanda before they forced them to a 1-all draw at the Independence Stadium in Windhoek.Petro Atletico are currently coached by former Portuguese Premier League giants Sporting Lisbon’s mentor, Pedroto, and their third-spot finish in the Angolan domestic league sure speaks volumes.They are reportedly boosted by several international players including a player from Cape Verde and Jamaica and a few Angolan junior national team players, and they will certainly give excellent competition for our local sides.They will engage six top Namibia Premier League teams in as many warm-up friendlies, which will be a very welcome opportunity for the local sides who are busy with preparations for the second leg of the league.Petro Atletico will first play SKW FC this coming Thursday at the SKW Stadium at 19h00, before they lock horns with current league front-runners Ramblers FC on Saturday at 16h00.A match against Tigers FC is scheduled for next Tuesday at Ramblers at 19h00.The action will then switch to the Khomasdal Stadium where the visitors will engage African Stars FC at 19h00 on Friday, February 01, before they clash the People’s Team, Orlando Pirates, on Sunday, February 3 at 16h00.Petro Atletico’s final encounter against their Namibian hosts Civics FC is billed for 19h00 on Tuesday, February 5 before they return to Angola.More information about Petro Atletico’s tour to Namibia can be obtained from the following people: Jorge de Purificacao at 081 230 7209, Nelson de Purificacao at 081 326 6751 and Paul Stramis at 081 127 0904.The Luanda-based outfit are no strangers to Namibia as they visited the country on four occasions in the past.First to play a friendly series which saw them thrashing relegated Premier League outfit Young Ones FC 7-0 at the former Katutura Stadium, shortly after Namibia’s Independence.They had a date with the star-studded Black Africa, which fielded ex-national team players like Lucky ‘Thindwa’ Boostander, Cosmos ‘Indies’ Damaseb, Eric ‘MasterBlaster’ Quest, the late Bernard ‘Kae Kapa Kae’ Diocotlhe and current coach Smithley ‘Chacklas’ Engelbrecht, in the Africa Champions League in the mid-90s.They made small change of former Namibian champions Blue Waters in the preliminary round of the Champions League, in their second official international clash against their Namibian counterparts in the early 2000s.The Angolan giants were also responsible for the short stay of three-time Namibian champions Civics FC in last year’s Champions League campaign, after they first defeated the Bethlehem Boys by a solitary goal in Luanda before they forced them to a 1-all draw at the Independence Stadium in Windhoek.Petro Atletico are currently coached by former Portuguese Premier League giants Sporting Lisbon’s mentor, Pedroto, and their third-spot finish in the Angolan domestic league sure speaks volumes.They are reportedly boosted by several international players including a player from Cape Verde and Jamaica and a few Angolan junior national team players, and they will certainly give excellent competition for our local sides.They will engage six top Namibia Premier League teams in as many warm-up friendlies, which will be a very welcome opportunity for the local sides who are busy with preparations for the second leg of the league.Petro Atletico will first play SKW FC this coming Thursday at the SKW Stadium at 19h00, before they lock horns with current league front-runners Ramblers FC on Saturday at 16h00.A match against Tigers FC is scheduled for next Tuesday at Ramblers at 19h00.The action will then switch to the Khomasdal Stadium where the visitors will engage African Stars FC at 19h00 on Friday, February 01, before they clash the People’s Team, Orlando Pirates, on Sunday, February 3 at 16h00.Petro Atletico’s final encounter against their Namibian hosts Civics FC is billed for 19h00 on Tuesday, February 5 before they return to Angola.More information about Petro Atletico’s tour to Namibia can be obtained from the following people: Jorge de Purificacao at 081 230 7209, Nelson de Purificacao at 081 326 6751 and Paul Stramis at 081 127 0904.