Bianchi credits Mabululu and Gilberto as Wiliete SC eliminate Mamelodi Sundowns

Wiliete Sports Club coach Beto Bianchi says the experience of Angola internationals Mabululu and Gilberto helped his side secure a notable CAF Champions League victory over defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns.

Mabululu, whose full name is Agostinho Cristovao Paciencia, scored the decisive away goal on Friday as Wiliete eliminated Mamelodi Sundowns from the competition.

The forward was also one of Angola’s leading players at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, where the Palancas Negras reached the quarter-final stage.

Bianchi believes Mabululu’s international experience, along with the influence of former Orlando Pirates attacker Gilberto, has been particularly important for a young Wiliete team.

“Mabululu is an experienced player, he knows African football. Not only African football but international football because he’s a player for the national team and he played abroad for the last couple of years,” Bianchi said.

“He’s helped his teammates, in the second half we had to change him because there’s this boy in the youth team, he’s 20 years old, so it’s the first time he played at this level.

“These kinds of players like Mabululu and Gilberto also who played in South Africa, they give confidence and help the young players in the team.”

Wiliete Sports Club was founded in 2018, making it only eight years old, and its success against Mamelodi Sundowns represents a significant step in the club’s development.

The result is even more notable because Mamelodi Sundowns had won their first Champions League title only two seasons after Wiliete was established. Bianchi also highlighted the stature of the opponents his team had overcome, describing Sundowns as the number-one-ranked team on the continent.

“What we did here today is really good for the club, so for the growth of the club. It’s a new club, it has been growing step by step not only here in the Champions League or CAF competitions, but also at home,” he added.

Bianchi said the victory would increase the value of Wiliete and provide further encouragement as the club continues to develop in Angola and in continental competitions.

“This club has a big value because of the rival that we just defeated, which has been really great for our club because of Mamelodi Sundowns win.”