Dressed strictly in the colors of their club, a few dozen Portuguese people gathered in the afternoon to watch the decisive match of the Portuguese championship, around the table and the snack, exchanging the view of the bay of the capital for that of the television screens.
The red on the scarves and sweaters left no room for doubt about the preference of the fans who gathered in one of the emblematic restaurants on the island of Luanda
Amidst chants and applause, the supporters followed the moves in a relaxed manner, as with three goals scored in the 60th minute of play, it was certain that they would be the winners of the game and the championship.
What happened half an hour later, in an explosion of joy and shouts praising the "Glorious SLB".
Ricardo Madeira was one of those thrilled by Benfica's victory, albeit without major surprises, culminating "a very difficult season, against everything and everyone", admitting that last week's game against Sporting was much more difficult.
"It was well deserved", told Lusa the fan, recently arrived in Luanda, stressing that it was special to celebrate "in this Benfica atmosphere".
A fan of football, a sport that he practiced and a passion that he shares with his famous cousin, Luís Figo, "a reference in Portuguese football" in whom he is immensely proud, he claims to be the "most sporting Benfica player there is".
"I'm from Benfica, I played for Sporting which is also a wonderful institution", said Ricardo Madeira, considering that it is necessary to put rivalries back "to a higher standard".
"Football has to be for the game, for the value of the players, not for the noise outside", he stressed.
Pedro Galego was another of the Benfica fans who experienced an emotional moment in Luanda, at the end of a difficult season.
"We lost a lot of points, but in the end we managed. We have 38, we're going to 39", he said, enthusiastic.
An even more special celebration since he also gathered a group of friends and former pupils of the Pupils of the Army, to celebrate the 112th anniversary of the institution, and because it was in Luanda, where he has worked for several years.
"When we are far away, we always feel everything more strongly, with more intensity", he highlighted.
Carlos Palma, also a pupil of the Pupils, claims to have also experienced moments of emotion in this double celebration.
And despite Benfica's opponents, Santa Clara, being bottom of the table, he admits that there was some expectation: "I was a bit apprehensive, the little ones sometimes do great things".
In Luanda, where he has lived for 14 years, he has already celebrated the title of champion a few times, but underlines that it is always special: "It is far from our land, we have another way of dealing with things, even because of the nostalgia".
