The fan favorites at the World Cup have lost both matches so far in the AFCON qualifiers.
Just months after a historic World Cup, Cabo Verde is now in real danger of missing out on the Africa Cup of Nations. A 2-1 loss to Rwanda on Tuesday leaves the team on zero points after two games. As things stand, Rwanda and Mali would qualify for Africa’s biggest tournament instead.
Cabo Verde’s struggles are as swift and unexpected as the team’s rise. The island nation made headlines in June after earning a point in its first-ever World Cup match in a 0-0 draw with eventual champions Spain, thanks in large part to a heroic performance from goalkeeper Vozinha. Draws against Saudi Arabia and Uruguay were enough for Cabo Verde to finish second in the group.
Bubista’s side nearly sprung another surprise in the knockouts. Cabo Verde bravely held on against Lionel Messi and Argentina, managing to reach extra time against the defending champions. Argentina pulled ahead, but a phenomenal strike from left-back Sidny Lopes Cabral saw Cabo Verde draw level once again. However, with just nine minutes left, a deflection gave Argentina a 3-2 win despite a strong performance from the Tubarões Azuis.
Much has changed since then, and Cabo Verde’s first AFCON qualifier in September. Bubista, the coach, is gone, taking a job with RS Berkane in Morocco. His assistant, Humberto Bettencourt, is now in charge. Vozinha, who was largely anonymous before the World Cup, earned a move to Chilean giants Colo Colo and is now a Yashin Trophy nominee.
Despite lofty expectations, Cabo Verde can be forgiven for losing to Mali to start qualifiers. Mali is on the rise, with strong players such as Brentford’s Mamadou Sangaré, and needed only five minutes to take the lead in Bamako. Vozinha, for all his talent, had no chance to stop Ange Martial Tia’s powerful lashed shot.
Cabo Verde briefly equalized, with Lopes Cabral, one of the heroes of the World Cup, scoring a deflected free kick. From there, it was all Mali. Winger Dorgeles Nene scored a brace, and the hosts picked up a deserved three points with a 3-1 win. Vozinha will certainly want the third goal back, as he ventured far outside of the area and failed to control the ball, allowing Nene to calmly slot into the open goal.
It was hardly the best start to Bettencourt’s reign, but not completely unexpected, either. Mali is actually higher in FIFA’s official rankings, sitting at 47 compared to Cabo Verde at 68. What followed was not as understandable.
The match was supposed to be a celebration, as it marked Cabo Verde’s first home fixture since the World Cup. Instead, the hosts were stunned by a 2-1 loss to Rwanda, ranked 119th in the world. Despite taking the lead, holding 70% possession, and taking 19 shots to Rwanda’s six, Cabo Verde simply failed to make its dominance count.
In AFCON qualifiers, only the top two teams per group progress. In Group K, Mali and Rwanda have six points after two games. Cabo Verde and Liberia have zero. This means that, with four games remaining, Bettencourt’s side needs to make up a six-point deficit in order to qualify. That doesn’t sound too bad, but Rwanda and Mali have already proven to be tough opposition.
Even if Cabo Verde fails to qualify, it will not take away from what the team accomplished in North America. From a story perspective, it arguably makes it more incredible: a team that lost to Rwanda was able to draw Spain and took Argentina to extra time. Vozinha, who has struggled against Rwanda and Mali, was making world-class saves to deny Lionel Messi.
However, Cabo Verde’s story is more than just one summer. This is a team that has shown tremendous growth recently and is looking to establish itself as one of Africa’s top sides. Now, just like last summer, the Tubarões Azuis will hope to spring a few surprises and stay alive.
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Image via FERWAFA (X).
