As Botafogo celebrated their first ever Copa Libertadores title through the vibrant streets of Rio de Janeiro, defender Bastos reflected on what proved to be a significant milestone for him.
It was because the Angolan international created history at the game, by becoming the first African player to come out as a winner in South America’s most prestigious club tournament, with Bastos describing the experience of lifting the trophy as “an incredible feeling”. Dedicating the achievement to the club and its supporters, he expressed his gratitude in an Instagram post, stating, “Congratulations to the whole Botafogo family… a historic result.
He went on: “It’s reward for all the hard work of all Botafogo employees. The trophy is for you fans.
“Thank you for your support.” The victory resonated even over 6,000 kilometres away in Angola, as Joao Lusevikueno, a former vice president of the Angolan football federation, commented: “This brings a lot of prestige for him, Angolan football and the Palancas Negras (the national team).
“The Copa Libertadores is very difficult to win. You will see good players in very competitive teams.
“To be able to lift that trophy means a lot to us as Angolans. I’m very happy for him.”
While Bastos revealed in the celebrations—one photo captured him cradling the trophy while asleep on the flight back—he was not on the pitch for the final match against fellow Brazilians Atletico Mineiro due to injury. The game was tense from the start, with Botafogo’s midfielder Gregore receiving a red card just two minutes in.
Nevertheless, the team triumphed with a 3-1 victory in Buenos Aires. Bastos, whose full name is Bartolomeu Jacinto Quissanga, began his football career in Luanda with Petro Atletico before transitioning to Europe, first signing with Rostov in Russia.
His career path included stints at Lazio and a Saudi Arabian club, culminating in various trophies before joining Botafogo in August 2022. His impact as a central defender has been profound, as he aids the team not only in defence but also in advancing their position in the Brazilian league, where they currently lead with two games remaining.
Historically, African players have had limited representation in the Copa Libertadores since its inception in 1960. Presently, Bastos stands as the only African participant in the recent finals, with the last African player to appear being Ghana’s Prince Amoako in 1997.
The curiosity now lies in whether his victory could inspire a new trend of African players making strides in South American football. Vickery reflects with cautious optimism; “There are often a few Africans dotted around the lesser South American leagues, but for the most part, for the best African players, most roads lead to Europe…
“Brazil, though, is increasingly becoming a global competition, a kind of South American version of the Premier League.” As Botafogo’s celebrations highlight a significant achievement in African football, the story of Bastos might pave the way for more African talents to emerge in the Copa Libertadores.
With the growing international diversity in Brazilian football, players from various backgrounds are finding opportunities to showcase their skills.
