Noberto Alves (POR)
03/01/2015
League
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Alves, a factor for Libolo

LUANDA (African Champions Cup/Banco BIC Basket) - In the space of a year, Portuguese coach Norberto Alves has shown his quick-learner credentials by leading Angola's Recreativo do Libolo to title success at the 2014 African Champions Cup (ACC).

Against all odds, Alves - who joined Libolo last year from Academica de Coimbra, a minor team in the Portuguese League - came up with a winning formula that few expected could succeed.

In his first international stint with Libolo in December of 2013, he was denied a place in the final of that year's ACC, following a heartbreaking  67-63 Semi-Final defeat to hosts Etoile Sportive du Sahel, coached by Cypriot Linos Gavriel.

Although Gavriel sought new pastures after finishing runners-up to Primeiro D’Agosto in that tournament, a re-match with Alves was inevitable.

Alves and his Libolo returned to Luanda with a bronze medal. They regrouped, instilled a winning mindset and made sure past mistakes had no room in the team’s future.

They opened the 2014 ACC with a shocking defeat to Equatorial Guinean side Malabo Kings.

However, that was just the beginning of new a era for the Angolan outfit, who went on to win all of their games and claimed a first continental title following an 86-68 defeat of Etoile Sportive Rades - Gavriel’s new team - in the final of the tournament held in Tunis, Tunisia last month.

What made Alves' domestic and continental success all the more impressive is that both Carlos Morais and Olimpio Cipriano - two influential pieces for Libolo - were sidelined for most of the season through injuries and missed the 2014 edition of FIBA Africa's flagship club competition. 

Instead, it was the likes of Eduardo Mingas, Milton Barros, Valdelicio Joaquim, Eric Coleman and Andrew Owens who stepped for the new ACC champions.

Libolo's team effort - which Alves often describes as the reason behind their success - proved too much for local rivals D'Agosto and Petro de Luanda, and more recently, for African opposition.

Libolo knocked D'Agosto off, not only as Angolan champions but also from the top step of the ACC podium.

Alves talked about how the journey to lift the trophy on 21 December came about.

"We had to manage our short-handed roster the best way possible because of injuries affecting key players," he told Angolan News Agency.

"I have always believed with hard work we had big chances to win [the tournament].

"[Etoile Sportive Rades] was an extremely strong opponent. They reached the final undefeated, but came up against a humble, balanced and fighting Libolo team, which proved that team work pays off.

"Right now, we are pleased because we worked very hard to reach this stage as [African] champions. I had a feeling we were going to win the tournament."

The 46-year-old tactician seems to be on the right track to follow in the footsteps of former Angola national team head coaches - his fellow Portuguese countrymen Luis Magalhaes and Mario Palma, who won a number of African titles at club and national team competitions.

FIBA