The Angolan striker, top scorer in the Egyptian League last season, is one of the most talked about names in Nigeria, Friday's opponent in the CAN quarter-finals, in the press and on social media, making his father, João, happy Patience Lieutenant Vunge.
With "faith" in Angola's victory in the next game, Cristóvão Paciência 'Mabululu's' father dreams of seeing Angola, the team led by Portuguese Pedro Gonçalves, win the CAN.
"Among the players of all the teams, the name they fear most is Mabululu, because, when he has the ball, the result is a goal. We are happy and we are all to be congratulated", he told Lusa in Cazenga, a popular neighborhood of Luanda, where he lives with his family and runs a hotel and restaurant business.
Cristóvão, 86 years old, dreams of Angola's victory, even if his son doesn't score.
"I expect victory, even if Mabululu doesn't score, what matters is the country, it's the team. We want victory and I'm sure that Gelson Dala, Mabululu and Gilberto will give us the victory. Winning the CAN is the perspective we have and, as an Angolan and as a father that I am, the cup has to come to Angola," he predicted.
Mabululu's father has followed his son's career with emotion, highlighting the goal scored in the team's debut in this edition of CAN, against Algeria, when the Angolans were losing 1-0.
"The goal he scored against Algeria, when we drew 1-1, is the goal that is in my mind, it was a class goal. The family was moved, even our street was full and everyone was shouting for Mabululu's name ", remembered.
The Angolan striker's wife, Cesarina Paciência, also dreams of winning the trophy, showing herself happy with the performance and unity demonstrated by the Angolan national team players on the field.
"I'm enjoying the success of our team, there is a lot of motivation and unity, and we hope that in Friday's game we will have a good result and I already believe that they will bring the cup to Angola and make the people happy," she said.
Also for Cesarina Paciência, the equalizer against Algeria was an emotional moment.
"My children were attentive to watch their father play, but what impressed me most was seeing my three-year-old baby, she screamed, climbed on benches and tables, and screamed and repeated several times, daddy scored", said.
Mabululu's older brother, Agostinho Cristóvão Paciência, also a former player, praised his brother's and the Angolan team's performance in the competition, which has been "surprising".
"Mabululu and the team have had a positive and surprising performance, because many people didn't believe in our team, throughout the games they showed that we can count on them", he congratulated.
Agostinho believes in the Angolans' triumph and thinks they will go even further.
"As a sportsman I say that there are three possible results, victory, draw and defeat, but, as an Angolan, I am hopeful of a victory for the 'Palancas Negras' and also of winning the competition," he told Lusa.
Mabululu's childhood friend, José Campos Vitoriano, shared the same view, who took the moment to express what he felt when he scored in Angola's debut game against Algeria.
"We were all demoralized when we saw Mabululu as a substitute, but when he came on, I was sure he was going to score the equalizing goal and it was a draw. On Friday, we will beat Nigeria, and we will bring that cup to Angola. Let's make history", he said.
In the quarter-finals, Angola will face Nigeria, coached by José Peseiro, at 5pm on Friday, in Abidjan, in the search for an unprecedented qualification for the semi-finals.
