CAPE VERDE MAKE HISTORY WITH FIRST WORLD CUP SPOT

By: Gyang Dakwo

Cape Verde made history on Monday by qualifying for the World Cup for the first time. They beat Eswatini 3 to 0 in their last group match and finished on top of the standings ahead of Cameroon, completing a remarkable journey.

The team started nervously in the first half but found their rhythm after the break. Dailon Livramento opened the scoring, then Willy Semedo added another, and veteran Stopira sealed the win in Praia. With that victory, Cape Verde secured their place at next year’s finals in North America.

Before this match, Cape Verde were two points ahead of Cameroon, a team that has played in the World Cup eight times, more than any other African nation. Cape Verde ended their campaign with 23 points, four ahead of Cameroon, who were held to a goalless draw at home by Angola.

About 25 years ago, Cape Verde hardly played international football, yet now they stand among Africa’s best. They will join Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, and Ghana, who have already booked their spots. Cape Verde also become the second smallest nation ever to qualify for the World Cup, after Iceland, who played in Russia in 2018.

Cameroon still have a chance to reach the playoffs for the four best runners-up in the nine African groups. However, their fans in Yaounde were disappointed after the draw, especially since Angola’s 39-year-old goalkeeper Hugo Marques made several important saves.

Earlier on Monday, Tunisia finished their qualifying campaign in style with a 3 to 0 win over Namibia. They did not concede a single goal throughout the campaign, winning nine of their ten matches and scoring 22 goals in total.