AFCON 2021: Cape Verde Has A Third ‘Roll Of The Dice’

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 three Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, in 2013, 2015 and 2021, to be played in Cameroon, come January.

Team Bio

The Blue Sharks of Cape Verde participated in the AFCON for the first time in 2013. The team in only their 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 with 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, 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 most interesting stat to pick up from the two AFCON tourneys Cape Verde has been part of, is the fact that they are yet to lose a game in the group stage.

The Journey

Cape Verde made it to the competition (AFCON 2021) through qualifying as group F runners-up, where they came second best only to Cameroon. The Indomitable Lions were home and dry already, and Conceiçao’s men were going to make the tournament finals, regardless of the result that obtained.

Cape Verde qualified with 10 points, one lesser than Cameroon, after two wins and four draws; one of the victory’s (3-1) came at home against Cameroon in March.

Cape Verde are paired in group A of the AFCON alongside hosts Cameroon, Ethiopia and Burkina Faso.

Key players

31 – 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 2021 AFCON.

The former Lille player who now plays for Al Nassr, scored twice for Cape Verde in the run to the AFCON.

EX Dijon skipper Julio Tavares cannot stop scoring for both club and country this season. For
Al-Faisaly Harmah in the Saudi league, Travares has been in some, form. The latter has scored 4 goals in 37 appearances made for Cape Verde.

Garry Mendes, a Dutch-born Cape Verdean, is a player worth note as well. The 30 year old who plies abroad for Olympiakos, just made his way back from injury, and looks set to illuminate the AFCON for coach Pedro Leitão Brito.

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.