Cape Verde are just one win away from securing a place at the World Cup — a feat that would have seemed unimaginable two decades ago. The island nation of about 600,000 people, located off the west coast of Africa, will become the second smallest country ever to qualify for the tournament after Iceland if they triumph in one of their final two qualifying matches this week.
The Blue Sharks face Libya away on Wednesday before hosting Eswatini on Monday, needing to maintain their lead in Group D to clinch the automatic qualification spot ahead of favourites Cameroon for next year’s World Cup in North America.
Cape Verde came close to qualification in 2014 but were docked points for fielding an ineligible player, costing them a place in the playoffs. Since then, they have become one of Africa’s most consistent overachievers, reaching the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals in both their 2013 debut and again at the most recent tournament in Ivory Coast, where they were eliminated on penalties.
Just 20 years ago, such success would have seemed far-fetched. Between 1986, when they joined FIFA, and 1990, Cape Verde averaged only two international matches per year and were ranked 182nd in the world.
Talent from the Diaspora Driving Success
Their rise has been fuelled by a bold strategy to identify and recruit players from Cape Verdean communities abroad. “The football association developed new strategies around identifying and recruiting talent throughout the large Cape Verdean diaspora,” said U.S.-based agent Tony Araujo, who has worked closely with the national team. “That global recruitment process began paying off around 2013, when they qualified for their first Africa Cup of Nations finals.”
Cape Verde’s history of migration — driven by scarce natural resources and an arid climate — has created thriving expatriate communities in Portugal, the U.S., and the Netherlands. Today, the national squad includes players born in Portugal, France, Ireland, and six from the Netherlands.
One such player, Shamrock Rovers defender Roberto “Pico” Lopes, recalled being scouted in an unusual way: “I got a message on LinkedIn from the then-coach Rui Águas — in Portuguese. I thought it was spam,” he laughed. “Months later, I translated it and realised he was inviting me to play for Cape Verde. I was absolutely buzzing!”
Winning Brings New Waves of Talent
Araujo said Cape Verde’s growing international success has made it easier to attract top players from Europe. “Now, with recent achievements, many more European-based players are proud to represent Cape Verde,” he said.
Victory in Tripoli will be a challenge, but if they fail to win there, Cape Verde will be favourites to seal qualification at home against Eswatini. Their stunning win over Cameroon last month sparked celebrations across the islands — and an even bigger national celebration awaits if they make World Cup history.
Source:Africa Publicity
