CAFCL: Petro de Luanda eyeing double over Simba SC

Petro de Luanda assistant coach Joaquim Valinho says his Angolan side wants to complete a double over Simba SC in the CAF Champions’ League (CAFCL) group-stage game on Saturday.

The assistant was speaking in a post-match press conference ahead of the Group D match in Luanda. Valinho said they want to build on their 1-0 victory over the Tanzanian Premier League top side in the first leg played last November in Dar es Salaam.

“In the first match in Dar es Salaam, it is always a difficult playing there. Simba brings very positive game when playing at home in front of their fans. I think we were very clever in that match. We were very competitive, and obviously we got the shot into the net. It a was a lucky moment from Benny,” he said.

🎞️ Match Highlights: An away win for Atlético Petróleos over Simba SC in their #TotalEnergiesCAFCL 2025/26 opener. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/DyKSVW3fXZ

— TotalEnergies CAFCL & CAFCC 🏆 (@CAFCLCC) November 26, 2025

The righthand man for head coach Flavio demanded that Petro de Luanda should be on top of their game by playing on the front foot to overcome the visitors on Saturday.

“Our game in Dar es Salaam was very competitive and very organized. We will ty to do the same here with even with more offensive and aggressive game to try to score,” Valinho added.

“We are prepared. Simba have six new players and new head coach Steve Barker, who has a big history in South Africa. He is starting now the process, obviously, we already know the players, the coach and the game they are trying to play. We are prepared to get the three points.”

Why Petro de Luanda can’t afford to lose

The Girabola champions hope to bounce from a two-game winless run. The Angolans drew 0-0 at home with Stade de Malien last weekend, days after losing 2-0 to the champions from Mali.

Bottom-placed Simba, too, cannot afford any slip up. Steve Barker’s men have one point from four games and further loss would rule them out of qualification to the knockout round.

Petro de Luanda lie third with five points, one point behind second placed AS Tunis and three away from leaders Stade de Malien.