Petro de Luanda a step closer to Girabola title after victory at Academica

Gilberto scored his first goal on Sunday since returning to Petro de Luanda on loan from Orlando Pirates. Petro de Luanda/Facebook

When Girabola title challengers Wiliete SC ended reigning Angolan top flight champions Petro de Luanda's undefeated league campaign in mid-March, the Girabola title chase became filled with suspense. However, Angola's dominant club has returned to a more comfortable position following Sunday's 3-0 victory at Académica Lobito.

Petro did all their damage in the second half. Portuguese midfielder Pedro Aparicio continued his excellent debut season in Angolan football with two goals in the opening fifteen minutes after the interval before Angola national team attacker Gilberto scored his first goal since returning to the club on loan following a failed transfer to Orlando Pirates.

For Wiliete, the circumstances were far from ideal on Saturday. Initial sunshine gave way to driving rain conditions that left the pitch unplayable at CD Lunda Sul where Wiliete fell to a 0-1 defeat, a result that could be the death blow to their title hopes.

Water was removed with buckets by workers at halftime in ridiculous scenes but the authorities inexplicably decided to play on as Wiliete fell six points off the pace following the result.

The remaining schedule for favorites Petro is not easy but at this point they likely only need one more victory to clinch the title. Petro will next host rivals Primeiro de Agosto on Saturday while Wiliete host Académica on Sunday.

League Table (Top-5) through 27 matches

	Points
Petro de Luanda	62
Wiliete SC	56
Primeiro de Agosto	50
Sagrada Esperança	46
Bravos do Maquis	39

• The league champions and runners-up qualify for the 2025-26 CAF Champions League.

• The third place finishers and the Taça de Angola champions qualify for the 2025-26 CAF Confederation Cup.