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From Angolan Student to Russian Premier League Player: The Story of Egas Cacintura
From Angolan Student to Russian Premier League Player: The Story of Egas Cacintura
Sputnik Africa
Egas Cacintura, a 27-year-old midfielder for Dynamo Makhachkala, has carved an unlikely path from Angolan student to Russian Premier League footballer. His... 19.01.2025, Sputnik Africa
2025-01-19T11:57+0100
2025-01-19T11:57+0100
2025-01-19T16:20+0100
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Cacintura initially arrived in Russia in 2015, one of many Angolan students granted a state-sponsored opportunity to study abroad. He chose Kuban State Technological University in Krasnodar, pursuing academics while nurturing a lifelong passion for football.This passion led him to a pivotal moment during his third year of university. A friend sent a video of Cacintura playing in amateur competitions to a mini-football club in Syktyvkar. Invited for a trial, Cacintura faced a physically demanding training camp.The transition to professional football presented new challenges. "Big football was much more difficult than indoor football," Cacintura explained. Adapting to the increased physical demands and the professional environment took time, but he persevered. His journey led him to FC Ufa, where he spent two years honing his skills in the Russian Premier League. He then joined Dynamo Makhachkala as a free agent at the end of the 2022-2023 season.Cacintura vividly remembers his professional debut against CSKA Moscow. Despite the loss, the 15 minutes he played remain etched in his memory. "Every time I remember it, I get goosebumps," he shared. He considers that game his "first step into professional big-football."Reflecting on his nearly 10 years in Russia, Cacintura considers the country his "second home." He credits Russia for shaping him into the person he is today.Last season, he played a significant role in Dynamo Makhachkala's promotion to the MIR Premier League, a historic achievement for the club. While acknowledging his contribution, Cacintura emphasized the collective effort involved. "It's a team sport," he insisted.
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From Angolan Student to Russian Premier League Player: The Story of Egas Cacintura
11:57 19.01.2025 (Updated: 16:20 19.01.2025) Muhammad Nooh Osman
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Egas Cacintura, a 27-year-old midfielder for Dynamo Makhachkala, has carved an unlikely path from Angolan student to Russian Premier League footballer. His journey, spanning nearly a decade, is a testament to perseverance, adaptability, and a deep love for the game.
Cacintura initially arrived in Russia in 2015, one of many Angolan students granted a state-sponsored opportunity to study abroad. He chose Kuban State Technological University in Krasnodar, pursuing academics while nurturing a lifelong passion for
football.
"I've been interested in football all my life," Cacintura told Sputnik Africa. "I've always played somewhere, I've always watched and, as many people said, I was pretty good at it."
This passion led him to a
pivotal moment during his third year of university. A friend sent a video of Cacintura playing in amateur competitions to a mini-football club in Syktyvkar. Invited for a trial, Cacintura faced a physically demanding training camp.
"Well, it was physically hard," he admitted, "I was not used to such exercises at that time. But I tried, I did my best to be selected. And the club management decided that I was suitable and they were interested in me signing a contract with them."
The transition to professional football presented new challenges. "Big football was much more difficult than indoor football," Cacintura explained. Adapting to the increased physical demands and the professional environment took time, but he persevered. His journey led him to FC Ufa, where he spent two years honing his skills in the
Russian Premier League. He then joined Dynamo Makhachkala as a free agent at the end of the 2022-2023 season.
Cacintura vividly remembers his professional debut against CSKA Moscow. Despite the loss, the 15 minutes he played remain etched in his memory. "Every time I remember it, I get goosebumps," he shared. He considers that game his "first step into professional big-football."
Reflecting on his nearly 10 years in Russia, Cacintura considers the country his "second home." He credits Russia for shaping him into the person he is today.
Last season, he played a significant role in Dynamo Makhachkala's promotion to the MIR Premier League, a historic achievement for the club. While acknowledging his contribution, Cacintura emphasized the collective effort involved. "It's a team sport," he insisted.
"Everybody has contributed to the achievement of having a first league team again in [the Russian region of] Dagestan. Yes, it's a joint effort. And that's probably what I'm most proud of. That we all managed to do it together, rather than whether I made a big contribution or not," he concluded.
