By CHRIS WRIGHT
Just hours before the transfer deadline, August 31, Olhanense completed the signing of two more Brazilian players bringing the squad’s total of South Americans to 12.
Cadu, an attacking midfield player, has been signed from Bnei Sakhnin (Israel). He previously had three years with U.Leiria.
Adilson, a 28 year-old centre-forward, has signed on loan from Maritimo (Madeira), where he scored in the UEFA Europa qualifying game against Bangor City recently, until the end of the season.
With no league games at the weekend, manager Daúto Faquirá was able to give his players valuable competitive practise in winning the Xelb Cup triangular competition.
The three teams, hosts Silves, Portimonense and Olhanense, played each other with games lasting 45 minutes. In the first game Yontcha and Djalmir scored in Olhanense’s 2-0 win over Silves and then defeated Portimonense thanks to a twenty-fifth minute goal from Toy.
Club captain Rui Duarte made a welcome return from injury after five months out with cruciate ligament damage to his right knee, whilst new boys Cadu and Adilson gained important match practice.
Missing was full-back João Gonçalves, on international duty with the Portugal Under 21 team, who lost their vital UEFA qualifying game against England 1-0.
Also absent was central defender Mexer, helping Mozambique gain a creditable 0-0 draw with Libya in the African Nations Qualifying Group match in Mabutu.
The youth development programme at Olhanense continues to be a major priority and two members of staff have recently been in Nigeria looking at young talent.
New shirt sponsors are Martinez 1991, who have a chain of clothing shops based in the Algarve.
