AFCON 2021: Cape Verde – Team guide, key players and full fixtures

For a while in the early 2010s, the Blue Sharks occupied a slightly confusing position in African football: well-placed per the FIFA rankings, but unable to actually do that standing justice in major tournaments. This time around, having been knocked off that pedestal, Cape Verde will hope to actually step things up and win only their second match at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Interestingly, they were placed in the same qualifying group with Cameroon, and came through in second place, actually beating the host nation along the way and progressing without defeat even though four of their six matches ended in draws. In 2021, they won five of their nine matches, losing twice (only once – their 2-1 loss to Nigeria – competitively) and scoring in every match bar one.

Per FIFA’s rankings for December 2021, Cape Verde is Africa’s 14th-best nation, and comes in at 73 in the world.

Cape Verde only made its debut at the AFCON in 2013, with their first (and, so far, only) win coming against Angola. Since then the Blue Sharks have only made one other appearance: in the following edition in 2015, where they drew all three group matches and were eliminated on goals scored.

Bubista has only been in charge about a year, but halted a seven-match competitive winless run to right Cape Verde. Since then, his side have punched above their weight somewhat, pushing Nigeria all the way in World Cup qualifying. Tactically, they mostly set up in a 3-5-2. Much of their chance creation is concentrated on the flanks, and they will often play short combinations in the middle of the pitch, before firing big switches to change the emphasis of the attack and hit the attackers with crosses.

At 31, not only is Ryan Mendes the captain of the side, he is also its second-highest scorer ever. His two goals in qualifying were instrumental to Cape Verde’s progress, and his technical ability is crucial to their attacking machinations.

Tireless left wing-back Dylan Tavares is often the beneficiary of the aforementioned raking diagonals, and times his runs well to get in behind opposing defences, and Steven Fortes leads the back line with experience. 

Kenny Rocha can fulfil either a deep or advanced role in midfield, and is already an influential performer for the Blue Sharks at 22. Despite his huge error in September’s defeat at the hands of Nigeria, he will be key to Cape Verde’s ambitions in terms of controlling the game and progressing the ball up the pitch.

Vozinha; Roberto Lopes, Steven Fortes, Stopira; Jeffry Fortes, Kenny Rocha, Nuno Borges, Jamiro Monteiro; Ryan Mendes, Julio Tavares.

For all their spunk, it is difficult to see Cape Verde troubling the two automatic progression slots. Their best bet in Group A would be to put a good beating on Ethiopia, but considering the Walia Ibex are no pushovers themselves, it is very much a long shot. Even if they did manage a best third-placed finish, the Round of 16 would certainly serve up an almost insurmountable challenge.