Scottland masterclass leaves Petro Luanda coach on the brink
The aftermath of Scottland FC’s stunning victory over Angolan giants Petro de Luanda continues to reverberate, with the future of Petro head coach João Pedro Sousa now hanging in the balance.
The Zimbabwean champions beat Petro 2-0 in the first leg of the CAF Champions League second preliminary round at the National Sports Stadium in Harare on Sunday, a result that has left the Angolans facing a shock early exit.
Goals from Khama Billiat and Knowledge Musona ensured Scottland FC take a crucial two-goal cushion to the reverse fixture to be played in Luanda.
PETRO LUANDA’S COACH COULD SOON BE SACKED
Posting on his X handle (formerly Twitter), respected African football journalist Micky Jnr said:
“Petro de Luanda head coach João Pedro Sousa is on the verge of being sacked. The Portuguese-Angolan coach lost 2-0 away to Zimbabwe’s Scottland FC in the CAF Champions League.
“A crucial meeting is expected when the team returns from Zimbabwe, with both parties set to discuss an agreement on the terms of his departure.”
The report, corroborated by RNA, National Radio of Angola, indicates the management under Tomás Faria is reassessing Sousa’s continuity upon the team’s return to Luanda.
It is a familiar story of appearance versus reality. For years, continental heavyweights have looked down upon Zimbabwean sides in CAF competitions, only to get a rude awakening.
Harare giants Dynamos FC remain the only Zimbabwean team to have progressed to the CAF Champions League final in 1998, losing to Ivorian giants ASEC Mimosas under controversial circumstances.
But DeMbare did the unthinkable again in 2008. On their way to the money-spinning semi-finals, Dynamos did a double over Tunisian giants Étoile Sportive du Sahel beating the defending champions 2-0 on aggregate in the third round, 1-0 at home and 1-0 in Sousse thanks to a Benjamin Marere goal.
In the group stages they also beat ASEC Mimosas home and away and Zamalek at home to finish second in Group A behind Al Ahly with 9 points, before falling 5-0 on aggregate to Cameroon’s Coton Sport in the semis.
That run was never expected from a Zimbabwean club because of the same appearance versus reality tag now facing the Angolan giants, and the pain has obviously led them to consider the future of their coach.
Scottland might have done the job in Harare, but the second leg will be a tall order in Luanda as Petro de Luanda is not an easy fixture at their home ground, Estádio 11 de Novembro.
The second leg of this preliminary round tie will be this coming Friday, with Petro boasting a formidable continental pedigree.
The Girabola giants famously knocked out Mamelodi Sundowns 3-2 on aggregate in the 2021-22 quarter-finals, and have routinely swept aside opposition including Stade d’Abidjan 4-0 last season and Cape Town City 4-0 in 2022-23, meaning Scottland will need to defend their advantage with everything they have.
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