Jovane Cabral and Jefferson Encada combine to end Primeira Liga winless skid for Estrela

Jovane Cabral put an end to a four-match winless streak for Estrela da Amadora on Saturday in Portugal’s Primeira Liga with his second half match winner in a 1-0 home victory over Santa Clara.

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Jovane Cabral 59′
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The club’s reigning Player of the Year rose to the occasion when his teammates needed it most with a powerful and perfectly placed header close to the hour mark. The Cape Verde national team forward got on the end of a cross from Guinea-Bissau international Jefferson Encada for a goal that earned him Man of the Match honors.

Hosts Estrela struggled to assert themselves and allowed relegation fighters Santa Clara to gain a foothold at the Estádio José Gomes. After a scoreless first half, concerns remained as the visitors continued to strengthen their advantage in possession.

But these types of matches are a perfect opportunity for an individual moment to make the difference and the hosts found a way to snatch victory. Former Egyptian Premier League star Encada was given plenty of space to put in an early cross and the former Pharco FC player’s delivery was precise for Cabral, whose snap header beat goalkeeper Gabriel Batista in the Santa Clara goal.

Also of note was the debut of Mozambique national team star Bruno Langa, who came on at the half for the victors after arriving on loan from LaLiga 2 club Almería just before the conclusion of the January transfer window.

After a winless start to 2026, Estrela earn a much-needed win to secure their hold in 11th place on the 18-team top flight table. Next up for the club from the Lisbon area is a trip to northern Portugal where they will face Vitória de Guimarães.

A Tactical Stalemate Broken by Individual Brilliance

The first half was a cagey affair, with hosts Estrela struggling to assert their dominance. Despite being the home side, they allowed Santa Clara—who are currently embroiled in a fierce relegation dogfight—to gain a significant foothold. The visitors controlled nearly 56% of the possession during the opening 45 minutes, creating several nervy moments for the Estrela backline.

Estrela’s manager, Paulo Sérgio, recognized the lack of width and drive, leading to a pivotal tactical shift at the break. However, it was a moment of pure individual connection in the 59th minute that finally shattered the deadlock.

Guinea-Bissau international Jefferson Encada, who joined Estrela as a free agent from Egyptian side Pharco FC in the summer of 2025, found himself with rare space on the right flank. The former Egyptian Premier League standout delivered a precise, arching cross into the heart of the penalty area. Cabral, showing elite movement to lose his marker, met the delivery with a powerful snap header that beat Santa Clara goalkeeper Gabriel Batista at the base of the left post.

The Debut of Bruno Langa and Defensive Resilience

While Cabral took home the Man of the Match honors for his goal, the defensive solidity of Estrela was equally noteworthy. The match saw the highly anticipated debut of Mozambique national team star Bruno Langa.

The left-back, who arrived on loan from La Liga 2 side Almería just hours before the January transfer window closed, was introduced at halftime. Langa’s entry provided an immediate boost in energy and defensive discipline, helping the hosts weather a late storm as Santa Clara threw bodies forward in search of an equalizer.

Langa’s arrival is seen as a major coup for the Lisbon-based club. After a difficult first half of the season on loan at Cypriot club Pafos FC, the Mozambican looked rejuvenated in the familiar surroundings of the Portuguese top flight, where he previously excelled with Chaves.

Table Implications and the Road Ahead

This victory is a monumental relief for Estrela da Amadora. Having failed to record a win in their previous four outings—including a heavy 4-0 defeat to Benfica and a 5-0 thrashing by Estoril—the three points provide much-needed breathing room.

The win solidifies Estrela’s hold on 11th place in the 18-team Primeira Liga table, moving them further away from the treacherous bottom three. For Santa Clara, the defeat is a bitter pill to swallow, leaving them languishing in 14th place and just two points above the drop zone.