Binewa Team Profile: Cape Verde at TotalEnergies AFCON 2023
Cape Verde is famous for its warm tropical climate, volcanic islands, wonderful musicians, delicious cuisine, and most recently, being the birth place of some fine footballers. The team has never qualified for FIFA World Cups but has now qualified for four Africa Cup of Nations tournaments; 2013, 2015, 2021 and 2023 to be played in Cote D’Ivoire, come January.
Team Bio
The Blue Sharks of Cape Verde participated in the AFCON for the first time in 2013. The team in only its debut tournament, made it through to the quarter finals. Cape Verde, then managed by coach Lucio Antunes made the last 8 of the competition, having been paired alongside hosts; South Africa, Morocco and Angola. A victory against Angola and two draws against the Atlas Lions of Morocco, and the Bafana Bafana, sent Cape Verde through to the last 8, before they bowed out to a 2-0 defeat to Ghana.
Cape Verde, that became a registered member of the African Confederation of Football only in 1994, then qualified to their second AFCON finals in 2015. It was entirely down to rotten – luck that the team ended the tourney on the 3rd position, registering three draws against: Tunisia, Zambia and DR Congo.
The following AFCON (2021) in Cameroon saw the Blue Sharks appear in group A that had Cameroon, Burkina Faso and Ethiopia. Cape Verde qualified after a narrow win over Ethiopia (1-0), a stalemate against Cameroon (1-1), and a 1-0 defeat to the Stallions of Burkina Faso.
The most interesting statistic to pick up from the last three AFCON tourneys Cape Verde has been part of, is the fact that they have lost just one game at the group stage (against Burkina Faso in 2021).
The Journey
The die was cast in group B of the AFCON qualifiers in a thrilling fifth round game that saw Cape Verde’s national football team emerge victorious with a 3-1 win over Burkina Faso, securing their qualification for the prestigious African Cup of Nations 2023 tournament set to be held in Ivory Coast. The match, that was held at the Estadio Nacional Praia in Cape Verde, showcased an impressive performance by the home team, earning them a well-deserved spot in the continental competition.
Cape Verde moved to 10 points after that famous win against Burkina Faso. They had the possibility to battle for the top spot but failed after a 3-2 defeat to Togo on game day 6.
Earlier results
Game day 1
Burkina Faso 2-0 Cape Verde
Game day 2
Cape Verde 2-0 Togo
Game day 3
Cape Verde 0-0 Eswatini
Game day 4
Eswatini 0-1 cape Verde
Game day 5
Cape Verde 3-1 Burkina Faso
Game day 6
Togo 3-2 Cape Verde
Qualifications group
Burkina Faso 11 pts
Cape Verde 10 pts
Togo 8 pts
Eswatini 3 pts
Players to watch
Ryan Mendes
33 – year – old Ryan Mendes is an absolute gem from his midfeild position, and his dribbling techniques will be vital for the blue sharks, come the 2023 AFCON.
The former Lille player who now plays for super lig club Faith Karagumruk, scored once for Cape Verde in the run to the AFCON, in the game against Eswatini on game day 4.
Julio Tavares
EX Dijon skipper Julio Tavares has aged like wine and he had kept scoring for both club and country. For
Al-Raed in the Saudi league, Travares has netted twice in 15 games. The latter has scored 8 goals in 48 appearances made for Cape Verde, including one in the 2023 AFCON qualifiers.
Bebe
Tiago Manuel Dias Correia style-named “Bebe” is equally an experience player that Cape Verde counts on.
Now 33, the Ex Manchester United forward played the last two games of the qualifiers and even added a goal on game day 5, in the three – one win over Burkina Faso.
Coach
Pedro Leitão Brito, commonly known as Bubista, is a former Cape Verdean footballer, who now manages the national team.
He captained the country making 28 appearances for Cape Verde during his playing days. As the gaffer, he is well known to clubs in Cape Verde like clubs Mindelense, Académica do Mindelo, Sporting Clube da Praia and Batuque. He took over the helm of the nation’s selection in January 2020, and has picked up exciting results, defeating heavyweights – Cameroon and Nigeria within that length.
Bubista thrives with quick attacking football and his sides are always quick on the transition. Bubista will be at his second AFCON finals after 2021 in Cameroon. He has made more than 1418 days at the helm of the national men’s selection.
2023 AFCON matches group B
Cape Verde kick-start its campaign against the Black Stars of Ghana on January 14. Games against Mozambique and Egypt follow on the 19th and 22 of January.
