Cape Verde national football team
Encyclopedia
The Cape Verde national football team, nicknamed either the Tubarões Azuis (Blue Sharks) or Crioulos (Creoles), is the national team of Cape Verde
and is controlled by the Federação Caboverdiana de Futebol
.
in 1975. The national team's first international was a 0–3 defeat to Guinea-Bissau
in the 1979 Amilcar Cabral Cup
. Cape Verde's football association
was formed in 1982, and joined FIFA in 1986.
Cape Verdeans abroad
, who are more numerous than the population of the islands themselves, are a major source of players for the national team. Most of Cape Verde's current international footballers play outside of Cape Verde (mainly in Europe, but also in Asia), and some were born outside of the islands.
Several players of Cape Verdean origin have chosen to play for other national teams. These include Eliseu
, Nani
, Manuel Fernandes, Rolando
, Nélson Marcos
, and Silvestre Varela
, who all represent Portugal
, as well as Jacques Faty
(Senegal
), Gelson Fernandes
(Switzerland
), Henrik Larsson
(Sweden
), and David Mendes da Silva
(Netherlands
).
or for the African Nations Cup. Its first World Cup qualifying campaign was the 2002 World Cup qualifiers
, in which Cape Verde was eliminated in the first round after one draw and one defeat against Algeria
.
In the qualification campaign
for the 2006 World Cup
and the 2006 African Nations Cup, Cape Verde advanced to the Final Round after its first victory in a World Cup qualifier, beating Swaziland
. In the Final Round, the team made an impression with its first ever away victory against Burkina Faso
, but finished fifth in its group and failed to qualify for either finals.
New coach João de Deus
from Portugal brought in several new players from European leagues for the 2010 World Cup
/2010 African Nations Cup qualifiers
. Cape Verde finished second in its group in the Second Round, ahead of Tanzania
and Mauritius
, but behind Cameroon
, and did not advance to the Third Round. Cape Verde's top goalscorer of the qualifying campaign was Dady.
in 2000, and won the gold medal in the football tournament at the 2009 Lusophony Games
. The team also won a bronze medal at the 2006 Lusophony Games
.
For the first time in its history, on 2 November 2002, it faced a non-Africa
n team, Luxembourg
, in a friendly, resulting in a scoreless draw. On September 4, 2009, it faced Malta
in a friendly, resulting in an 2–0 victory. On 24 May 2010 Cape Verde played out a 0–0 draw in a friendly match against a full-strength Portugal. At the time, Portugal was third in the FIFA rankings and Cape Verde were 117th.
.
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, Zimbabwe
– 8 October 2010. (African Cup of Nations Qualifications) 1 – 0 – Óbidos
, Portugal
– 11 November 2010. (Friendly match) 1 – 0 – Óbidos
, Portugal
– 9 February 2011. (Friendly match) 4 – 2 – Praia
, Cape Verde
– 26 March 2011. (African Cup of Nations Qualifications) 0 – 1 – Paynesville
, Liberia
– 5 June 2011. (African Cup of Nations Qualifications) 0 - 3 – Bamako
, Mali
– 2 September 2011. (African Cup of Nations Qualifications) 2 - 1 – Praia
, Cape Verde
– 7 October 2011. (African Cup of Nations Qualifications)
Cape Verde
The Republic of Cape Verde is an island country, spanning an archipelago of 10 islands located in the central Atlantic Ocean, 570 kilometres off the coast of Western Africa...
and is controlled by the Federação Caboverdiana de Futebol
Federação Caboverdiana de Futebol
The Federação Caboverdiana de Futebol is the governing body of football in Cape Verde. It was founded in 1982, affiliated to FIFA in 1986 and to CAF in 1986...
.
Overview
The Cape Verde Islands became independent from PortugalPortugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
in 1975. The national team's first international was a 0–3 defeat to Guinea-Bissau
Guinea-Bissau national football team
The Guinea-Bissau national football team is the national team of Guinea-Bissau and is controlled by the Federação de Futebol da Guiné-Bissau. They are a member of the CAF...
in the 1979 Amilcar Cabral Cup
Amilcar Cabral Cup
The Amílcar Cabral Cup is an international football tournament for Western African nations. The competition originally was scheduled on an annual basis, it has since been scheduled on a bi-annual basis.-Participant Nations:...
. Cape Verde's football association
Federação Caboverdiana de Futebol
The Federação Caboverdiana de Futebol is the governing body of football in Cape Verde. It was founded in 1982, affiliated to FIFA in 1986 and to CAF in 1986...
was formed in 1982, and joined FIFA in 1986.
Cape Verdeans abroad
Cape Verdean diaspora
The Cape Verdean diaspora refers to both historical and present emigration from Cape Verde. Today, more Cape Verdeans live abroad than in Cape Verde itself...
, who are more numerous than the population of the islands themselves, are a major source of players for the national team. Most of Cape Verde's current international footballers play outside of Cape Verde (mainly in Europe, but also in Asia), and some were born outside of the islands.
Several players of Cape Verdean origin have chosen to play for other national teams. These include Eliseu
Eliseu Pereira dos Santos
Eliseu Pereira dos Santos , simply Eliseu, is a Portuguese footballer who plays for Málaga CF in Spain. A left winger who can also operate as a left back, he is mostly known for his blazing speed.-Early years:...
, Nani
Nani
-People:*Nani, a Portuguese footballer who plays for Manchester United*Gianluca Nani, former technical director at West Ham United*Nanabhoy Palkhivala, nicknamed Nani, an Indian jurist and economist*Nani Roma, a Spanish rally racing driver...
, Manuel Fernandes, Rolando
Rolando (Portuguese footballer)
Rolando Jorge Pires da Fonseca , simply Rolando, is a Cape Verdean-born Portuguese footballer who plays for F.C. Porto as a central defender.-Club career:...
, Nélson Marcos
Nélson Marcos
Nélson Augusto Tomar Marcos , simply Nélson, is a Portuguese footballer of Cape Verdean descent who plays for Real Betis in Spain, as a right defender.-Early years:...
, and Silvestre Varela
Silvestre Varela
Silvestre Manuel Gonçalves Varela is a Portuguese footballer who plays for F.C. Porto in the Portuguese first division, as a winger.-Club career:...
, who all represent Portugal
Portugal national football team
The Portugal national football team represents Portugal in association football and is controlled by the Portuguese Football Federation, the governing body for football in Portugal. Portugal's home ground is Estádio Nacional in Oeiras, and their head coach is Paulo Bento...
, as well as Jacques Faty
Jacques Faty
Jacques Faty is a French-born Senegalese footballer who plays for Turkcell Süper Lig club Sivasspor and Senegal national football team....
(Senegal
Senegal national football team
The Senegal national football team, nicknamed the Lions of Teranga, is the national team of Senegal and is controlled by the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football...
), Gelson Fernandes
Gelson Fernandes
Gelson Tavares Fernandes is a Swiss footballer, who currently plays as a midfielder for Leicester City on loan from AS Saint Etienne...
(Switzerland
Switzerland national football team
The Swiss national football team is the national football team of Switzerland...
), Henrik Larsson
Henrik Larsson
Henrik Edward Larsson MBE is a retired Swedish footballer and current manager of Landskrona BoIS.Larsson began his career with Högaborgs BK. He moved to Helsingborg, where he was one of the key players when they qualified to Allsvenskan 1993. Larsson then moved to Feyenoord for four years before...
(Sweden
Sweden national football team
The Swedish national football team represents Sweden in association football and is controlled by the Swedish Football Association, the governing body for Football in Sweden. Sweden's home ground is Råsunda Stadium in Stockholms län and their head coach is Erik Hamrén. Sweden made their first...
), and David Mendes da Silva
David Mendes da Silva
David Mendes da Silva Gonçalves is a Dutch footballer of Cape Verdean heritage who plays for Red Bull Salzburg as a midfielder....
(Netherlands
Netherlands national football team
The Netherlands National Football Team represents the Netherlands in association football and is controlled by the Royal Dutch Football Association , the governing body for football in the Netherlands...
).
World Cup and African Nations Cup qualifiers
Cape Verde has never qualified for the FIFA World CupFIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
or for the African Nations Cup. Its first World Cup qualifying campaign was the 2002 World Cup qualifiers
2002 FIFA World Cup qualification
A total of 199 teams entered the 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification rounds, competing for a total of 32 spots in the final tournament. and , as the co-hosts, and , as the defending champions, qualified automatically, leaving 29 spots open for competition....
, in which Cape Verde was eliminated in the first round after one draw and one defeat against Algeria
Algeria national football team
The Algeria national football team , nicknamed الأفنــاك, Les Fennecs , represents Algeria in association football and is controlled by the Fédération Algérienne de Football. Algeria's home ground is the Stade 5 Juillet 1962 in Algiers and their head coach is Vahid Halilhodžić.Algeria has qualified...
.
In the qualification campaign
2006 FIFA World Cup qualification (CAF)
Listed below are the dates and results for the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification rounds for Africa. 51 teams took part , competing for 5 World Cup places.The qualification was composed of two Rounds...
for the 2006 World Cup
2006 FIFA World Cup
The 2006 FIFA World Cup was the 18th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 9 June to 9 July 2006 in Germany, which won the right to host the event in July 2000. Teams representing 198 national football associations from all six...
and the 2006 African Nations Cup, Cape Verde advanced to the Final Round after its first victory in a World Cup qualifier, beating Swaziland
Swaziland national football team
The Swaziland national football team, nicknamed Sihlangu Semnikati , is the national team of Swaziland and is controlled by the National Football Association of Swaziland. It has never qualified for the World Cup or the Africa Cup of Nations finals...
. In the Final Round, the team made an impression with its first ever away victory against Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso national football team
The Burkina Faso national football team, nicknamed Les Etalons , is the national team of Burkina Faso and is controlled by the Fédération Burkinabé de Foot-Ball. They were known as the Upper Volta national football team until 1984, when Upper Volta became Burkina Faso...
, but finished fifth in its group and failed to qualify for either finals.
New coach João de Deus
João Carlos Pires de Deus
João Carlos Pires de Deus is a Portuguese football manager. João de Deus comes from Setúbal. As a footballer, he played as a defender for Vitória de Setúbal. He coached Cape Verde's national team from 2008 to 2010, when he left Cape Verde to coach AD Ceuta in the Spanish Segunda División...
from Portugal brought in several new players from European leagues for the 2010 World Cup
2010 FIFA World Cup
The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010...
/2010 African Nations Cup qualifiers
2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
The qualification competition for the 2010 FIFA World Cup was a series of tournaments organised by the six FIFA confederations. Each confederation — the AFC , CAF , CONCACAF , CONMEBOL , OFC , and UEFA — was allocated a certain number of the 32 places at the tournament...
. Cape Verde finished second in its group in the Second Round, ahead of Tanzania
Tanzania national football team
The Tanzania national football team represents Tanzania in association football and is controlled by the Tanzania Football Federation, the governing body for football in Tanzania. Tanzania's home ground is Benjamin Mkapa national stadium in Dar-es-Salaam and their head coach is Jan Børge Poulsen....
and Mauritius
Mauritius national football team
The Mauritius national football team, nicknamed Club M, is the national team of Mauritius and is controlled by the Mauritius Football Association.-Early years:...
, but behind Cameroon
Cameroon national football team
The Cameroon national football team, nicknamed Les Lions Indomptables , is controlled by the Fédération Camerounaise de Football and is Africa's most successful side in FIFA world cup; having qualified for the FIFA World Cup six times – in 1982, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002 and 2010– more than any...
, and did not advance to the Third Round. Cape Verde's top goalscorer of the qualifying campaign was Dady.
Other tournaments and notable matches
Cape Verde has two titles: It hosted and won the Amilcar Cabral CupAmilcar Cabral Cup
The Amílcar Cabral Cup is an international football tournament for Western African nations. The competition originally was scheduled on an annual basis, it has since been scheduled on a bi-annual basis.-Participant Nations:...
in 2000, and won the gold medal in the football tournament at the 2009 Lusophony Games
2009 Lusophony Games
The 2009 Lusophony Games was the 2nd Lusophony Games , a multi-sport event for delegations representing Portuguese-speaking National Olympic committees.It took place in Lisbon, Portugal, from 11 to 19 July 2009...
. The team also won a bronze medal at the 2006 Lusophony Games
2006 Lusophony Games
The 1st Lusophony Games were held in the Macau Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China between 7 and 15 October 2006...
.
For the first time in its history, on 2 November 2002, it faced a non-Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
n team, Luxembourg
Luxembourg national football team
The Luxembourg national football team is the national football team of Luxembourg, and is controlled by the Luxembourg Football Federation. The team play most of their home matches at the Stade Josy Barthel, in Luxembourg.- History :...
, in a friendly, resulting in a scoreless draw. On September 4, 2009, it faced Malta
Malta national football team
The Malta national football team is the national football team of Malta and is controlled by the Malta Football Association. Malta played its first international game in February 1957, and began competing for qualification to major tournaments in 1962. The side's first competitive victory came in...
in a friendly, resulting in an 2–0 victory. On 24 May 2010 Cape Verde played out a 0–0 draw in a friendly match against a full-strength Portugal. At the time, Portugal was third in the FIFA rankings and Cape Verde were 117th.
Achievements
- Amilcar Cabral CupAmilcar Cabral CupThe Amílcar Cabral Cup is an international football tournament for Western African nations. The competition originally was scheduled on an annual basis, it has since been scheduled on a bi-annual basis.-Participant Nations:...
:- Champions: 2000
- Runners-up: 20072007 Amílcar Cabral CupThe 2007 Amílcar Cabral Cup was held in Bissau, Guinea Bissau at the Estádio Nacional 24 de Setembro and Complexo Desportivo Lino Correia from 30 November until 10 December 2007...
- Third place: 1995
- Lusophony GamesLusophony GamesThe Lusophony Games is a multinational multi-sport event organized by the ACOLOP, which involves athletes coming from Lusophone countries, namely those belonging to the CPLP , but also others where there are significant Portuguese communities or that have a common past with Portugal.Participating...
- Gold medal: 20092009 Lusophony GamesThe 2009 Lusophony Games was the 2nd Lusophony Games , a multi-sport event for delegations representing Portuguese-speaking National Olympic committees.It took place in Lisbon, Portugal, from 11 to 19 July 2009...
- Bronze medal: 20062006 Lusophony GamesThe 1st Lusophony Games were held in the Macau Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China between 7 and 15 October 2006...
- Gold medal: 2009
World Cup record
- 19301930 FIFA World CupThe 1930 FIFA World Cup was the inaugural FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in Uruguay from 13 July to 30 July 1930...
to 19981998 FIFA World CupThe 1998 FIFA World Cup, the 16th FIFA World Cup, was held in France from 10 June to 12 July 1998. France was chosen as host nation by FIFA on 2 July 1992. The tournament was won by France, who beat Brazil 3-0 in the final...
– Did not enter - 20022002 FIFA World CupThe 2002 FIFA World Cup was the 17th staging of the FIFA World Cup, held in South Korea and Japan from 31 May to 30 June. It was also the first World Cup held in Asia, and the last in which the golden goal rule was implemented. Brazil won the tournament for a record fifth time, beating Germany 2–0...
to 20102010 FIFA World CupThe 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010...
– Did not qualify
African Nations Cup record
- 1957 to 1992 – Did not enter
- 1994 – Did not qualify
- 1996 – Withdrew
- 1998 – Did not enter
- 2000 to 2010 – Did not qualify
Current squad
The following players were called for the African Cup of Nations Qualification match against LiberiaLiberia national football team
The Liberia national football team, nicknamed the Lone Stars, is the national team of Liberia and is controlled by the Liberia Football Association. Although the country produced the 1995 FIFA World Player of the Year, George Weah, they have never reached the World Cup finals...
.
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Recent call-up
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Managers since 2003
- Carlos AlhinhoCarlos AlhinhoCarlos Alexandre Fortes Alhinho was a Cape Verdean-born Portuguese football central defender and manager....
(2003–2006) - Ze RuiJosé RuiJosé 'Zé' Rui, born 6 November 1964 in Praia, is the current assistant coach of the Cape Verde national football team.Former international Zé Rui, full name José Rui Pina Aguiar, was called as a new national trainer of Cape Verde. He replaced Alexandre Alhinho, who resigned in January...
(2006) - Ricardo da RochaRicardo Cordeiro da RochaRicardo Cordeiro da Rocha is a Brazilian Football manager and former player.-External links:...
(2007) - João de DeusJoão Carlos Pires de DeusJoão Carlos Pires de Deus is a Portuguese football manager. João de Deus comes from Setúbal. As a footballer, he played as a defender for Vitória de Setúbal. He coached Cape Verde's national team from 2008 to 2010, when he left Cape Verde to coach AD Ceuta in the Spanish Segunda División...
(2008–2010) - Lúcio AntunesLúcio AntunesLúcio Antunes is the manager of the Cape Verde Islands national football team.He was appointed in July 2010....
(2010–Present)
Past and upcoming games
0 – 0 – HarareHarare
Harare before 1982 known as Salisbury) is the largest city and capital of Zimbabwe. It has an estimated population of 1,600,000, with 2,800,000 in its metropolitan area . Administratively, Harare is an independent city equivalent to a province. It is Zimbabwe's largest city and its...
, Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in the southern part of the African continent, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia and a tip of Namibia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east. Zimbabwe has three...
– 8 October 2010. (African Cup of Nations Qualifications) 1 – 0 – Óbidos
Óbidos
Óbidos is a town of approximately 3100 inhabitants and municipal seat of the municipality of Óbidos, located in the Oeste Subregion, of the Estremadura historical province, in Portugal.-History:...
, Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
– 11 November 2010. (Friendly match) 1 – 0 – Óbidos
Óbidos
Óbidos is a town of approximately 3100 inhabitants and municipal seat of the municipality of Óbidos, located in the Oeste Subregion, of the Estremadura historical province, in Portugal.-History:...
, Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
– 9 February 2011. (Friendly match) 4 – 2 – Praia
Praia
Praia , is the capital and largest city of Cape Verde, an island nation in the Atlantic Ocean west of Senegal. It lies on the southern coast of Santiago island in the Sotavento Islands group. It is the island's ferry port and is home to one of the nation’s four international airports...
, Cape Verde
Cape Verde
The Republic of Cape Verde is an island country, spanning an archipelago of 10 islands located in the central Atlantic Ocean, 570 kilometres off the coast of Western Africa...
– 26 March 2011. (African Cup of Nations Qualifications) 0 – 1 – Paynesville
Paynesville
Paynesville may refer to:Australia*Paynesville, VictoriaLiberia*Paynesville, LiberiaUnited States*Paynesville, California*Paynesville, Indiana*Paynesville, Minnesota*Paynesville, Missouri*Paynesville Township, Minnesota...
, Liberia
Liberia
Liberia , officially the Republic of Liberia, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Sierra Leone on the west, Guinea on the north and Côte d'Ivoire on the east. Liberia's coastline is composed of mostly mangrove forests while the more sparsely populated inland consists of forests that open...
– 5 June 2011. (African Cup of Nations Qualifications) 0 - 3 – Bamako
Bamako
Bamako is the capital of Mali and its largest city with a population of 1.8 million . Currently, it is estimated to be the fastest growing city in Africa and sixth fastest in the world...
, Mali
Mali
Mali , officially the Republic of Mali , is a landlocked country in Western Africa. Mali borders Algeria on the north, Niger on the east, Burkina Faso and the Côte d'Ivoire on the south, Guinea on the south-west, and Senegal and Mauritania on the west. Its size is just over 1,240,000 km² with...
– 2 September 2011. (African Cup of Nations Qualifications) 2 - 1 – Praia
Praia
Praia , is the capital and largest city of Cape Verde, an island nation in the Atlantic Ocean west of Senegal. It lies on the southern coast of Santiago island in the Sotavento Islands group. It is the island's ferry port and is home to one of the nation’s four international airports...
, Cape Verde
Cape Verde
The Republic of Cape Verde is an island country, spanning an archipelago of 10 islands located in the central Atlantic Ocean, 570 kilometres off the coast of Western Africa...
– 7 October 2011. (African Cup of Nations Qualifications)
External links
- Cape Verde FA official site (currently out of order)
- Cape Verde at FIFA's home page
- RSSSF archive of results 1979–
- Cape Verde Football
- National Football Teams – Cape Verde