LUANDA (Angola) - Ahead of the inaugural Basketball Africa League (BAL), Petro Atletico de Luanda on Tuesday confirmed Jose Neto as their new head coach.

The 49-year-old Brazilian replaces Cameroonian Lazare Adingono, who joined Petro Atletico de Luanda in 2012.

The Angolan reigning champions confirmed the appointment via the club's social media platforms, and Neto replied: "Thanks for the trust, we are together. Let's go."

Neto has enjoyed some success at domestic and continental levels in recent years. Among some of his highlights appear four consecutive titles in the Brazilian League (NBB) from 2012 to 2016. He has also led Brazilian and South American heavyweights Flamengo to the 2014 FIBA Intercontinental Cup.

More recently, Neto coached his country at the FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2020, although they missed out on qualifying for next year's Olympics in Tokyo.

According to media reports in Brazil, Neto will continue as head coach of Brazil women's national team.

Neto has served as assistant coach to Brazil men's team at several major tournaments, namely the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2014 and the Olympics (2012 and 2016).

Meanwhile, Adingono guided the Angolan giants to two League titles (2015 and 2019), two Angolan Cup trophies (2013 and 2014) and the 2015 FIBA Africa Champions Cup crown. 

Winner of the 2019 Angolan League, Petro de Luanda will represent the country at the highly-anticipated BAL, where they will play the Regular Season against AS Douanes (Senegal), Association Sportive Sale (Morocco), AS Police (Mali), GNBC (Madagascar) and GSP of Algeria.

Early this year, the Angolan Basketball Federation (FAB) suspended the local league following the outspread of coronavirus, and even though no champion was attributed for the 2020 season, Petro de Luanda got the right to represent the country at next year's BAL.

FIBA