Cape Verde have steadily become a consistent presence at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), following initial difficulties in qualifying for the tournament.
The Blue Sharks made their debut in 2013, leaving a lasting impression by advancing from Group A alongside hosts South Africa. They secured their spot in the knockout stage by defeating Angola in the third group game, but their journey came to an end in the quarter-final against Ghana, with Mubarak Wakaso’s brace sealing their fate.
In 2015, their return to Equatorial Guinea proved more challenging as they finished third in a tough group, trailing behind Tunisia and DR Congo. The 2017 and 2019 editions saw Cape Verde absent from the competition, but they made a comeback in 2021, held in Cameroon.
After navigating through a group that included the hosts, Burkina Faso, and Ethiopia, they advanced to the round of 16 as one of the best third-placed teams.
Their journey was once again halted by a formidable opponent, Senegal, who eventually went on to win the tournament. As they approach the 2023 AFCON, Cape Verde face the formidable challenges of Egypt and Ghana, along with the unpredictable Mozambique, making their path to success uncertain but hopeful.
AFCON 2023 Matches
14 January 2024: Ghana v Cape Verde
19 January 2024: Cape Verde v Mozambique
22 January 2024: Cape Verde v Egypt
Key Players to Watch
Ryan Mendes:
- As the most capped player with 69 appearances and joint top scorer in the team’s history, Ryan Mendes emerges as the go-to forward for the Blue Sharks in the upcoming competition.
- The 33-year-old, renowned for his goal-scoring prowess across multiple clubs in Europe and Asia, aims to enhance his goal tally for the national team.
Vozinha (Josimar Dias):
- Goalkeeper Josimar Dias, known as Vozinha and the eldest among the squad, is poised to leverage his experience to aid Cape Verde’s ambitions in the tournament.
- The 37-year-old regularly features in the Slovak top tier for AS Trencin, boasting an impressive eight clean sheets in 16 matches.
Garry Rodrigues:
- Ancaragucu forward Garry Rodrigues adds attacking flair to the team, drawing on his exploits with various clubs, including Galatasaray and Olympiacos.
- The Dutch-born winger, having played five AFCON games, has contributed with a goal and an assist. As the 33-year-old approaches the twilight of his career, he eyes the upcoming tournament as an opportunity to shine and further bolster his team’s success.
Coach: Bubista (Pedro Leitão Brito)
Pedro Leitão Brito, known as Bubista, has been entrusted with guiding the team in another major tournament. Having led the Blue Sharks to the round of 16 in the 2021 edition, the 53-year-old coach is expected to build on the positives and potentially propel the team further, aiming for success in the latter stages of the tournament.
Team Statistics:
Appearances so far: 3
Best Results: Quarterfinals in 2013
Worst performance: Group stage in 2015
Most capped player: Ryan Mendes with 69 appearances
Captain: Vozinha (Josimar Dias)
Top scorer: Héldon Ramos 15 goals in 52 appearances
The AFCON tournament will start on January 13, 2024 and conclude on February 11.
By Frank Appiah & Enoch Fiifi Forson