LUANDA (Angola) - Primeiro D'Agosto team captain Armando Costa feels that their fans may play a huge part in their attempt to win the FIBA Africa Basketball League 2019 FINAL FOUR.

The tournament will run from May 24-26 in the Angolan capital of Luanda.

Along with D'Agosto, continental reigning champions Association Sportive Sale of Morocco, Smouha Sporting Club from Egypt and Tunisia's JS Kairouan will try to lift the first-ever edition of the reformulated FIBA Africa's solo clubs' competition.

D'Agosto, who registered five wins in as many games so far, will be tested by Smouha Sporting Club in one of the semifinals, while AS Sale will go up against JS Kairouan.

 Looking ahead of the FINAL FOUR, Costa, who was part of the D'Agosto team who last lifted a continental trophy in 2013, noted to FIBA.basketball that "All four teams are very good, and I am sure they will offer quality basketball. Each of the four teams can win the FIBA Africa Basketball League 2019."

And that is the reason, he has a message to their fans: "Come and support us because we'll do our very best to win all games, and we want to celebrate with each of you next month," he said.

He went on saying that  "Association Sportive Sale - as reigning champions - will rightly come to Luanda to defend their title. They are experienced, ambitious, and it's not a surprise they haven't lost a game. Let's not forget that they have been doing a very good job in recent years, especially at continental level."

Armando Costa (Primeiro D'Agosto)

Yet, Costa insists that their main concern, at least for now, comes from Egypt: "I have watched some of Smouha's games, they are a very balanced team with some quality Egyptian players. I've also noticed that Smouha's game mostly rely on the point-guard [James Justice Jr], who I think will cause us a lot of troubles, because they made it clear that they want to win the Cup."

Despite D'Agosto's eight African titles, the Angolan Army-funded club, has been experiencing a new reality. They last won an Africa Cup in 2013, under the leadership of Paulo Macedo, who returned to the club last year.

"We've experienced a rebuilding process in recent years, with new players and coaching staff coming in. And somehow this transition period affected the way we played. We won so many titles, that we reached a point, where other teams thought it was about time to change the course of history. But we are now back on top, and we are happy to be in the position we are now, which is trying to regain one more African title."

So far, things are looking good for D'Agosto. As well winning the Angolan Super Cup 2019 and the Angolan Cup 2019, they lead ASA [2-0] in the Angolan UNITEL League, and could claim their ninth African title next month.

"We respect our opponents, but our goal is to win the trophy here in Angola," Costa noted.

The 35-year-old point guard welcomed FIBA Africa Basketball League as "it became more and interesting to watch and get involved." 

FIBA