Selebwa looking for raw talent to beef up Luanda Villa squad

National Super League (NSL) side Luanda Villa have announced trials on Monday and Tuesday next week as the Mumboha-based club seeks to bolster their squad in preparations for next season.

According to head coach Gilbert Selebwa, the trials are supposed to help him sign talent that will help him finish among the top three teams in that National Super League table.

At the end of the NSL 2023/24 season, Luanda Villa were eighth on the log with 52 points, a position they were proud of according to the coach – being their first attempt.

Now, the former AFC Leopards coach says, they will be going for a top three finish, seeking promotion to the Premier League.

“Our problem has been scoring goals. We drew most compared to other teams. We registered 16 draws after 38 games because our striking force had been adversely affected by the absence of Timothy Lumasai who has been nursing a knee injury,” Selebwa stated, saying lack of proper options exposed the team when the key striker was injured.

Selebwa says there is work to be done in the defense too, another area he will be seeking to beef up through the trials.

“I need at least three new strikers. Since Division Two Luanda Villa has had only one left back who luckily played all 38 NSL matches. This makes it difficult for a coach to change the playing system hence the need for more players who can play on the left.

“When we correct the defense and striking lapses, bench power is an inevitable concern. We should strive for a quality first 11 but also take care of those who will take the super-sub positions on the bench,” Selebwa concluded.