The Sp. Braga women’s squad just hit the ground running. Fresh off a season where they clinched the national runner-up spot, the team officially returned to training this week. They’re already setting their sights on bigger prizes for the 2025/26 campaign.
Coach João Santos is still at the helm. He’s bringing in fresh talent while keeping the core of the previous team intact. Four new faces joined the squad. Beatriz Rodrigues, from Portugal, previously played for Vilacondense. Beatriz Santos, from Cape Verde, joins from Charleroi in Belgium. Two American players are also on board: Phoebe Awoleye, from Omaha in the USA, and Elissa Alcantara, who comes from Valencianas de Juncos in Puerto Rico.
Santos shared his ambitions for the new season. He expects the team to be fighting for trophies. “We want to be in the decisive moments,” Santos told the club’s website. “That means playing for titles in both competitions.” He sees this year’s group as more balanced. “We have more professional athletes now,” he added. “This will change our daily routine. It brings us closer to the top, which is our main goal.”
Keeping the core of last year’s team is a huge help. “Many players returned from last season,” Santos explained. “This makes it much easier to bring in the new faces.” Communication has been excellent, he noted. “The new players are really open to our style,” Santos said. “I believe forming a strong, unified group will be simple.” The goal is clear. The team aims to be fully ready to compete in about a month and a half. They want to be a cohesive unit when the season kicks off.
