Mingas' glorious career comes to an end

 

LUANDA (Angola) - Angolan Eduardo Mingas on Thursday, September 29, announced the end of his glorious playing career at the age of 43.

The former power forward enjoyed a career that spanned over two decades ago, both at club and national team level.

Mingas last played an official game in May 2022 during the Final of the Angolan League when his Inter Clube de Luanda lost all three games against Petro de Luanda.

"Right now, I just want to enjoy my time with my family," Mingas told FIBA.basketball.

Physically, he said, he still feels in great shape, but "a family conversation was fundamental in my decision to retire," Mingas noted.  

Mingas has entered the history books as one of the few players to have played at five FIBA Basketball World Cup.

And although he announced his national team retirement after the 2019 World Cup in China, Angola called him up for the 2021 FIBA AfroBasket Tournament and AfroBasket Qualifiers. 

With eight AfroBasket appearances under his belt and four African Championship titles (2005, 2007, 2009 and 2013), Mingas has become one of the most decorated players in the African continent.

Along with his numerous Angolan League and FIBA Africa Champions Cup titles, Mingas feels he has achieved his primary goal as a player.

 

"I have won everything I could possibly win my country and Africa and I feel accomplished," Mingas emphasised, although he admitted that finishing on the podium of a World Cup or the Olympics would have been cherry on the cake. 

"I am pleased and thankful for everything basketball has offered me. When you are dedicated and work hard, basketball can change lives for good, and I am grateful for it."

Along with Argentina great Luis Scola as well as the Brazilian trio of Alex Garcia, Anderson Varejao and Leandro Barbosa, Mingas became one of five players who saw their relationship with FIBA's flagship competition begin in Indianapolis, USA, 20 years ago.

Three years ago, Mingas shared a heartfelt message of his career, which began in his native Saurimo. 

FIBA