Wiliete SC head coach Roberto Bianchi has highlighted the importance of the experience of Mabululu and Gilberto after the Angolan side eliminated Mamelodi Sundowns from the CAF Champions League.
The Angolan outfit pulled off a major upset against the reigning African champions, with the influence of their experienced international players proving crucial in helping the team compete at the highest level.
Mabululu, who has represented Angola at international level over 50 times and played in Egypt and Libya, was singled out for the role he has played in guiding his younger teammates.
“Mabululu is an experienced player, he knows African football, more than African football, international football because he is a player for the national team and he played abroad for the last couple of years,” the coach said.
“He’s really helped his teammates. This second half we had to change him, though, because of what happened. This boy we introduced in the match was from the youth team, it was the first time he played at this level.”
Gilberto played alongside the veteran striker, which proved a memorable return to South Afrcia for the former Petro de Luanda star – after an ill-fated stint with Orlando Pirates in the South African top-flight before his return to his homeland.
“So this kind of players, these calibre of players as Mabululu and Gibela, they give confidence and help the young players of the team,” he concluded.
The coach’s comments underline the value of having players with continental and international experience in a squad for a club who was founded in 2018 – and have now qualified for the group stage for the first time in their history.