Ivorian international Solo Diabate is back at Petro de Luanda, against whom he lost the last BAL final. At 37, the man was no longer looking for a team to shine, but a collective that wins. For the first time, he will rub shoulders with the Intercontinental Cup and hopes to inspire respect with the Angolan club.
4 mins
RFI: You have already played at Solo Luanda in the 2022/2023 season, how was this return decided?
Solo Diabate: With Petro, I had already played in 2022, in 2023 I was supposed to go back, but we didn’t agree on the terms of the contract. That’s why I had to go elsewhere. But I kept good contact with the manager and the coach, so this year it happened naturally. Especially since we played the final against each other and the new coach appreciated my performance.
You played the BAL final with Al Ahly Ly SC against Petro de Luanda, you shone rather well with 20 points, isn’t it strange to play with a team that beat you a few months ago in a major competition?
Honestly, when I signed, I didn’t think about it. But once I got there, it’s true that it was weird, especially since I know them well from having played with them for a season. It was a bit weird at first, but you quickly forget. Because I beat them too in 2021 and 2022. In 2023, we lost together and now they beat me, it doesn’t matter. It’s 1-1, let’s say (laughs).
“I prefer to play in teams that win rather than teams where I perform well”
What attracts you to the project? To register in the medium term for the BAL 2025?
There are many goals. We know that Petro is the best team in Angola. A very stable team, with good local players. There are very attractive financial means, too. Beyond that, Petro won the last BAL and will participate in the Intercontinental Cup (starting on September 12). I have never had the opportunity to participate in this competition, it was really an opportunity to seize. Especially since the club is also aiming for a back-to-back at the BAL level, that really makes two goals in one very attractive season. It was natural to accept the contract.
You are 37 years old and you still attract the best clubs on the continent. How do you explain this longevity?
You know, today my ambitions are changing. I prefer to play in winning teams than in teams where I perform. So it helps a lot, playing in winning teams means being surrounded by the best players, it lightens my workload, which allows me to play for a long time without making too much effort. But I am an African, I have a lot of experience, naturally the teams call me. For now, I have a good reputation as a good guy, apart from my basketball skills. I am also called to supervise the team, like here in Petro where I am the oldest. It allows me to be a leader for the young players.
“Giving a good image of African basketball”
In this team, will you have a starting role?
For a while now, the starting spot has not mattered to me. I just want to play, win and perform. I have no idea how the coach is going to use me, whatever minutes he gives me I will take them and try to give my all. My role as an older and more experienced player is to help the youngsters and bring my experience on and off the pitch.
This FIBA tournament is also a way to assess the level of African basketball, what is the objective of the Petro de Luanda?
It’s about giving a good image of African basketball, since Petro is the African champion. So everyone will look at what an African champion is worth. It’s really about giving a good image and trying to take what we get. We start with Malaga (September 12 at 12:00 UTC), which is one of the best European teams. We know it’s going to be difficult, the goal will be to try to make their job as difficult as possible and that after the match, there is still respect and that they remember it.