Luanda:The 47th edition of the African Handball Champions League for both men and women has commenced at the Kilamba Multipurpose Pavilion. The tournament's opening match featured Casa Pessoal do Porto do Lobito (CPPL) against Heritage from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in the women's Group B.
According to Angola Press News Agency, the absence of Cameroon's FAP team caused a shift in the opening day's schedule. Originally, the men's competition was to start with FAP against Petro de Luanda. Instead, the day's matches included 1.º de Agosto against JSK of the DRC in men's Group D and Al Ahly of Egypt against Interclube in men's Group B.
At the Paulo Bunze Pavilion, Petro de Luanda faced Flowers of Benin in women's Group B, while Al Ahly of Egypt played against Mazembe of the DRC. The official opening ceremony was scheduled for 17:00, followed by 1.º de Agosto versus Abidjan HC of Cote d'Ivoire in a women's Group A match.
Twenty-one men's and women's teams are competing in this premier club tournament, which runs until the 14th. Al Ahly of Egypt currently holds the men's trophy. The tournament format allows the top two teams from each men's group to advance to the second phase, competing in a crossover format. In the women's category, four teams from each group will advance under a similar format.
Six Angolan teams are participating, with Casa Pessoal do Porto do Lobito and Petro de Luanda's men's squad debuting in this competition. This is the first time Luanda is hosting the event. Petro de Luanda and 1.º de Agosto hold records in the women's category with 21 and eight titles, respectively.
The championship also serves as an opportunity for Angola to highlight its cultural and culinary diversity, enhancing sectors such as hospitality, dining, transport, tourism, and services. Angola has previously hosted major sporting events, including the Senior Women's African Championship and the Senior Women's African Olympic Qualifying Tournaments.
