Exclusive: Angolan Gilberto eyes strong Orlando Pirates comeback

Photo Credit: Petro de Luanda

Orlando Pirates winger Deivi Miguel Vieira (Gilberto) has opened up on his loan spell with Petro de Luanda in Angola, saying he hopes to bounce back strongly in the Betway Premiership next season.

Gilberto spoke exclusively to Pan-Africa Football on Tuesday when contacted over his career progress since rejoining the Girabola leaders in January 2025, after barely five months at Orlando Pirates.

In a video call interview through an interpreter, teammate Hugo Marques, the winger said: “I am happy here. Everything is fine. I hope to come back very strongly at Pirates next season. I have a contract with Pirates.”

The 24-year-old Gilberto added that he hopes next season would be a typical case of ‘new coach and new ideas’ at Orlando Pirates. Incumbent Jose Riveiro will leave the Buccaneers at the end of the campaign.

The blonde-haired forward has recaptured his form at Petro de Luanda where he has made nine appearances in Angola's top division Girabola.

Pirates signed the right winger from Petro de Luanda on a three-year deal last year. However, he made only eight appearances in the Betway Premiership and eleven across all competitions without scoring.

Gilberto joined the Buccaneers after two seasons with Petro where he produced 21 goals and 10 assists in 68 games, winning Angola's top division Girabola both seasons as well as one Angolan Cup title and the nation's Super Cup on one occasion.

The enterprising forward had an impressive 2024 season where he starred at the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast earlier that year, scoring one goal in the finals and helping Angola to the quarterfinals of the competition.