Petro Atlético de Luanda began their African Club Championship campaign with a 38-25 victory over APR HC on Tuesday in Luanda, Angola. The Angolan champions controlled the match from the outset, leading 20-12 at halftime before pulling away after the break to seal a 13-goal win.
Garcia Morais Malandua led Petro Atlético’s attack with seven goals, supported by Celestino Maneco Adilson with six and Pedro Nelson Domingos with five. Mateus Bumba Dende and Catarino Paulo Valdemiro each added four, while Manuel José António Da C scored three.
For APR, Alexis Nshimiyimana and new signing Yves Kayijamahe each scored six goals, with Emmanuel Kubwimana adding five and captain Jean Paul Muhawenayo contributing two. The match marked a continental debut for several of APR’s recent recruits, including Kubwimana and Kayijamahe, who joined from Police HC ahead of the tournament.
The defeat leaves the Rwandan champions with an early setback in a reshaped Group A following the withdrawal of FAP, TKC and Veto. APR now face a demanding six-team group that includes reigning champions Al Ahly of Egypt, Flowers of Benin, Interclube of Angola and Renaissance Don Bosco of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
