The entire nation of Cape Verde will hold its breath this Monday afternoon. At 3 PM local time, 5 PM in Lisbon, televisions across the African archipelago will likely be fixed on one game. This isn’t just any match; it’s the biggest moment in the history of the “Blue Sharks,” their national football team. A victory against Eswatini would secure first place in Group D and send them to the World Cup for the very first time.
The excitement for this decisive match is immense. All 15,000 tickets for the game at Estádio Nacional in Praia vanished in mere hours. To ensure maximum support, the government even declared a public holiday for civil servants on Santiago Island. This way, everyone can cheer on their heroes without missing a beat.
Bubista, who has coached Cape Verde since 2020, understands the gravity of the occasion. “It will be the most important game ever played by the national team,” he stated. He added that the match carries “extreme importance for the country and for our players.” Bubista noted that his squad is “motivated to win and thus write a new page in the history of football in the country.”
Cape Verde goes into the game as the clear favorite. They lead Group D with 20 points, two clear of Cameroon. Eswatini, their opponents, sit in last place with just 3 points and no wins. Despite the favorable odds, Bubista remains watchful. He expressed a slight concern, warning, “There might be some anxiety in wanting to score quickly.” This pressure could sometimes lead to mistakes.
If that anxiety causes problems and Cameroon ends up tied on points, the “Blue Sharks” would fall to second place. That would mean facing a challenging qualification playoff instead of a direct ticket to the global tournament.
Only Iceland Has Done Better
The upcoming expansion of the World Cup to include 48 teams opens the door for many nations to make their debut. Cape Verde has a chance to create history not only by qualifying for the first time but also by becoming one of the smallest countries by population to ever reach the World Cup stage. Currently, that record belongs to Iceland, which boasts around 400,000 inhabitants and played in Russia in 2018. Cape Verde, an archipelago of 10 islands with a total population of 524,000, could soon follow in their footsteps.
Even for seasoned players, this game feels different. “It will be the most memorable game of our lives,” shared the experienced 39-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha, who plays for Chaves. He pointed out that while some players have competed in the Champions League or the Africa Cup of Nations, “this match is different.” It holds a unique significance for the team and for every person in Cape Verde.