ANG - Magalhães takes the helm of Libolo

LUANDA (Afrobasket) - Recreativo Do Libolo claimed their first Angolan league title in the 2011-12 campaign.

Olimpio Cipriano returned to his best form and served as the team's leading player, thus paving the way for his return to the Angola national team for the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Venezuela.

If Libolo are to defend their title, it will be with a new coach because Raul Duarte has left the team by mutual agreement following a poor start to the campaign.

Replacing him at the helm is former national team boss Luís Magalhães.

Speaking to Jornal de Angola, the Director for Basketball of Recreativo do Libolo, Nelson de Oliveira, said: "The objectives are as always.

"We aspired to have a winner. We are putting complete trust in the experience that coach Luís Magalhães has.

"His resume is enviable and we believe that he is the ideal person for the goals set by the management of the club."

Ricardo Rodriguez and Jaime Prades will remain with Libolo as assistant coaches.

Magalhães, who has been so successful in his career that he has been given the nickname "trophy eater", guided Angola to the gold medal at Afrobasket 2009 and then steered the country to two wins at the 2010 FIBA World Championship and into the last 16.

When he took the helm of Angola's national team before the Afrobasket three years ago, he had a huge reputation.

Magalhães had won championships with clubs in Portugal and Angola – including three with African powerhouse 1º de Agosto.

Now he'll be looking to make his mark with Libolo.

FIBA