Bianchi reveals how Mabululu and Gilberto helped Wiliete SC knock out Sundowns

Mabululu, whose full name is Agostinho Cristóvão Paciência, was one of the key Angolan players at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament, where the Palancas Negras reached the quarter-final stage. 

He has been key for Wiliete in the CAFCL, scoring the vital away goal that eliminated defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns on Friday. 

Bianchi has got high praise for Mabululu and former Orlando Pirates attacker Gilberto.

"Mabululu is an experienced player, he knows African football. Not only African football but international football because he's a player for the national team and he played abroad for the last couple of years,” Bianchi said.

“He's helped his teammates, in the second half we had to change him because there's this boy in the youth team, he's 20 years old, so it's the first time he played at this level. These kinds of players like Mabululu and Gilberto also who played in South Africa, they give confidence and help the young players in the team."

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Wiliete is a young team, established only eight years ago in 2018, and this was just two seasons after Sundowns had won their first Champions League title.  

Bianchi says it’s also a special moment for his club to be knocking out the defending champions and the number-one-ranked team on the continent, like Sundowns.

"What we did here today is really good for the club, so for the growth of the club. It's a new club, it has been growing step by step not only here in the Champions League or CAF competitions, but also at home,” the coach added. 

“This club has a big value because of the rival that we just defeated, which has been really great for our club because of Mamelodi Sundowns win."