The beautiful archipelago islands of Cape Verde off the West Coast of Africa have never qualified for either the FIFA World Cup or the CAF Africa Cup of Nations.
Their national football team is known as ‘Tubarões Azuis’ (Blue Sharks) or ‘Crioulos’ (Creoles). They came close to qualifying for the Nations Cup in 2006, at one time lying second in a group behind South Africa.
Cape Verde did not enter the World Cup preliminary stages from 1930 to 1998 and only attempted to qualify for the Nations Cup in 1994 and then from the year 2000 onwards. The Blue Sharks have won the Amilcar Cabral Cup once (2000) and the Lusophony Games once (2009).
Present coach Bubista is also the national team’s most capped player and the record goal scorer is Joao Pedro da Viega. Cape Verde play their homes games at ‘Estadio da Varzea’ in Praia.
The Cape Verdean Championships sees the champions of nine islands play-off against one another. The Sao Vicente and Santiago islands have produced 12 champions each. The most successful team is Sporting Clube de Praia, who are also the reigning champions.
Moses Wasiwa of Uganda tries to challenge Ianique Tavares of Cape Verde during the Afcon Cameroon 2019 Qualifier on 17 November 2018 at Mandela Stadium, Namboole, Kampala. ©Ismail Kezaala/BackpagePix
Edrisa Lubega of Uganda and Carlos Rodrigues of Cape Verde in action during the Afcon Cameroon 2019 Qualifier on 17 November 2018 at Mandela Stadium, Namboole, Kampala. ©Ismail Kezaala/BackpagePix
Jorge Semedo of Cape Verde tries to challenge Hassan Mawanda Wasswa of Uganda during the Afcon Cameroon 2019 Qualifier on 17 November 2018 at Mandela Stadium, Namboole, Kampala. ©Ismail Kezaala/BackpagePix
Garry Mandes Rodrigues of Cape Verde and Nicholas Wadada Wakiro of Uganda in action during the Afcon Cameroon 2019 Qualifier on 17 November 2018 at Mandela Stadium, Namboole, Kampala. ©Ismail Kezaala/BackpagePix
Ryan Mandes of Cape Verde tries to challenge Godfrey Walusimbi of Uganda during the Afcon Cameroon 2019 Qualifier on 17 November 2018 at Mandela Stadium, Namboole, Kampala. ©Ismail Kezaala/BackpagePix
Ryan Mandes of Cape Verde challenge Godfrey Walusimbi of Uganda during the Afcon Cameroon 2019 Qualifier on 17 November 2018 at Mandela Stadium, Namboole, Kampala. ©Ismail Kezaala/BackpagePix
Bradley Grobler of South Africa is challenged by Ianique dos Santos of Cape Verde during the World Cup Qualifier match between South Africa and Cape Verde on the 05 September 2017 at Moses Mabhida Stadium © Sydney Mahlangu /BackpagePix
Andile Jali of South Africa challenges Ryan Mendes of Cape Verde during the World Cup Qualifier match between South Africa and Cape Verde on the 05 September 2017 at Moses Mabhida Stadium © Sydney Mahlangu /BackpagePix
Themba Zwane of South Africa is challenged by Marco Soares of Cape Verde during the World Cup Qualifier match between South Africa and Cape Verde on the 05 September 2017 at Moses Mabhida Stadium © Sydney Mahlangu /BackpagePix
Tokelo Rantie of South Africa is challenged by Tiago Almeida of Cape Verde during the World Cup Qualifier match between South Africa and Cape Verde on the 05 September 2017 at Moses Mabhida Stadium © Sydney Mahlangu /BackpagePix
Dean Furman of South Africa challenges Garry Rodrigues of Cape Verde during the World Cup Qualifier match between South Africa and Cape Verde on the 05 September 2017 at Moses Mabhida Stadium © Sydney Mahlangu /BackpagePix
Ramahlwe Mphahlele of South Africa is challenged by Ianique dos Santos of Cape Verde during the World Cup Qualifier match between South Africa and Cape Verde on the 05 September 2017 at Moses Mabhida Stadium © Sydney Mahlangu /BackpagePix
Cape Verde's player Garry Rodrigues (L) vies for the ball against Burkina Faso's player Malo Patrick (C) during their 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying soccer match held at National Satdium Praia in Cidade da Praia, Cape Verde, 12 November 2016. EPA/ENEIAS RODRIGUES
Cape Verde's player Garry Rodrigues (R) vies for the ball against Burkina Faso's player Alain Traore (L) during their 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying soccer match held at National Satdium Praia in Cidade da Praia, Cape Verde, 12 November 2016. EPA/ENEIAS RODRIGUES
Cape Verde's player Djaniny (L)
Cape Verde's player Garry Rodrigues (L) vies for the ball against Burkina Faso's player Malo Patrick (R) during their 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying soccer match held at National Satdium Praia in Cidade da Praia, Cape Verde, 12 November 2016. EPA/ENEIAS RODRIGUES
Cape Verde's player Nuno Rocha (B) vies for the ball against Burkina Faso's player Prejuce Nakoulma (F) during their 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying soccer match held at National Satdium Praia in Cidade da Praia, Cape Verde, 12 November 2016. EPA/ENEIAS RODRIGUES
Cape Verde's player Garry Rodrigues (L) vies for the ball against Burkina Faso's player Steeve Yago (R) during their 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying soccer match held at National Stadium Praia in Cidade da Praia, Cape Verde, 12 November 2016. EPA/ENEIAS RODRIGUES
Garry Rodrigues of Cape Verde
Lubambo Musonda of Zambia battles with Jorge Djaniny Semedo of Cape Verde during of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations match between Cape Verde and Zambia at Ebibeyin Stadium, Equatorial Guinea on 26 January 2015 Pic Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix
Lubambo Musonda of Zambia battles with Ianique Stopira Tavares of Cape Verde during of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations match between Cape Verde and Zambia at Ebibeyin Stadium, Equatorial Guinea on 26 January 2015 Pic Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix
Zambia and Cape Verde dejected after the match during of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations match between Cape Verde and Zambia at Ebibeyin Stadium, Equatorial Guinea on 26 January 2015 Pic Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix
Ryan Mendes of Cape Verde battles with Emmanuel Mbola of Zambia during of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations match between Cape Verde and Zambia at Ebibeyin Stadium, Equatorial Guinea on 26 January 2015 Pic Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix
Ryan Mendes of Cape Verde battles with Stoppila Sunzu of Zambia during of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations match between Cape Verde and Zambia at Ebibeyin Stadium, Equatorial Guinea on 26 January 2015 Pic Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix
Emmanuel Mbola of Zambia battles with Garry Rodrigues of Cape Verde during of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations match between Cape Verde and Zambia at Ebibeyin Stadium, Equatorial Guinea on 26 January 2015 Pic Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix
Emmanuel Mbola of Zambia battles with Garry Rodrigues of Cape Verde during of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations match between Cape Verde and Zambia at Ebibeyin Stadium, Equatorial Guinea on 26 January 2015 Pic Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix
Emmanuel Mbola of Zambia and Heldon Ramos of Cape Verde during the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations football match between Cape Verde and Zambia at the Ebibeyin Stadium, in Ebibeyin, Equatorial Guinea on 26 January 2015 ©Barry Aldworth/BackpagePix
Davis Nkausu of Zambia and Heldon Ramos of Cape Verde during the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations football match between Cape Verde and Zambia at the Ebibeyin Stadium, in Ebibeyin, Equatorial Guinea on 26 January 2015 ©Barry Aldworth/BackpagePix
Ryan Mendes of Cape Verde battles with Chancel Mbemba of DR Congo during of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations match between Cape Verde and DR Congo at Ebibeyin Stadium, Equatorial Guinea on 22 January 2015 Pic Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix
Jailton Kuca Miranda of Cape Verde battles with Jean Kilitsho Kasusula of DR Congo during of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations match between Cape Verde and DR Congo at Ebibeyin Stadium, Equatorial Guinea on 22 January 2015 Pic Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix
Ryan Mendes of Cape Verde during of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations match between Cape Verde and DR Congo at Ebibeyin Stadium, Equatorial Guinea on 22 January 2015 Pic Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix
Yannick Bolasie of DR Congo battles withCarlos Calu Lima of Cape Verde during of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations match between Cape Verde and DR Congo at Ebibeyin Stadium, Equatorial Guinea on 22 January 2015 Pic Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix
Yannick Bolasie of DR Congo battles withCarlos Calu Lima of Cape Verde during of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations match between Cape Verde and DR Congo at Ebibeyin Stadium, Equatorial Guinea on 22 January 2015 Pic Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix
Ryan Mendes of Cape Verde during of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations match between Cape Verde and DR Congo at Ebibeyin Stadium, Equatorial Guinea on 22 January 2015 Pic Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix
Ryan Mendes of Cape Verde battles with Issampa Djos of DR Congo during of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations match between Cape Verde and DR Congo at Ebibeyin Stadium, Equatorial Guinea on 22 January 2015 Pic Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix
Ryan Mendes of Cape Verde battles with Issampa Djos of DR Congo during of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations match between Cape Verde and DR Congo at Ebibeyin Stadium, Equatorial Guinea on 22 January 2015 Pic Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix
Fernando Varela of Cape Verde battles with Diedonnei Mbokani of DR Congo during of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations match between Cape Verde and DR Congo at Ebibeyin Stadium, Equatorial Guinea on 22 January 2015 Pic Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix
Fernando Varela of Cape Verde battles with Diedonnei Mbokani of DR Congo during of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations match between Cape Verde and DR Congo at Ebibeyin Stadium, Equatorial Guinea on 22 January 2015 Pic Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix
Ryan Mendes of Cape Verde battles with Cedrick Mabwati of DR Congo during of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations match between Cape Verde and DR Congo at Ebibeyin Stadium, Equatorial Guinea on 22 January 2015 Pic Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix
Ryan Mendes of Cape Verde battles with Cedrick Mabwati of DR Congo during of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations match between Cape Verde and DR Congo at Ebibeyin Stadium, Equatorial Guinea on 22 January 2015 Pic Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix
Ianique Stopira Tavares of Cape Verde battles with Cedrick Mabwati of DR Congo during of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations match between Cape Verde and DR Congo at Ebibeyin Stadium, Equatorial Guinea on 22 January 2015 Pic Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix
Julio Tavares of Cape Verde battles with Issampa Djos of DR Congo during of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations match between Cape Verde and DR Congo at Ebibeyin Stadium, Equatorial Guinea on 22 January 2015 Pic Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix
Julio Tavares of Cape Verde battles with Issampa Djos of DR Congo during of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations match between Cape Verde and DR Congo at Ebibeyin Stadium, Equatorial Guinea on 22 January 2015 Pic Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix
Ryan Mendes of Cape Verde battles with Diedonnei Mbokani of DR Congo during of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations match between Cape Verde and DR Congo at Ebibeyin Stadium, Equatorial Guinea on 22 January 2015 Pic Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix
Nuno Rocha of Cape Verde battles with Cedrick Mabwati of DR Congo during of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations match between Cape Verde and DR Congo at Ebibeyin Stadium, Equatorial Guinea on 22 January 2015 Pic Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix
Nuno Rocha of Cape Verde battles with Cedrick Mabwati of DR Congo during of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations match between Cape Verde and DR Congo at Ebibeyin Stadium, Equatorial Guinea on 22 January 2015 Pic Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix
Issampa Djos of DR Congo (l) and Ryan Mendes of Cape Verde (r) challenge for the ball during the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations football match between Cape Verde and DR Congo at the Ebibeyin Stadium, Ebibeyin, Equatorial Guinea on 22 January 2015 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
Ryan Mendes of Cape Verde battles with Diedonnei Mbokani of DR Congo during of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations match between Cape Verde and DR Congo at Ebibeyin Stadium, Equatorial Guinea on 22 January 2015 Pic Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix
Ianique Stopira Tavares of Cape Verde battles with Cedrick Mabwati of DR Congo during of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations match between Cape Verde and DR Congo at Ebibeyin Stadium, Equatorial Guinea on 22 January 2015 Pic Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix
Elvis Babanco Macedo of Cape Verde receives Orange Man of the Match award from the Orange Fan of the Match during the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations football match between Cape Verde and DR Congo at the Ebibeyin Stadium, Ebibeyin, Equatorial Guinea on 22 January 2015
Julio Tavares of Cape Verde pulls back Cedric Mongongu of DR Congo during of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations match between Cape Verde and DR Congo at Ebibeyin Stadium, Equatorial Guinea on 22 January 2015
Elvis Babanco Macedo of Cape Verde battles with Chikito Lema Mabidi of DR Congo during of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations match between Cape Verde and DR Congo at Ebibeyin Stadium, Equatorial Guinea on 22 January 2015
Ianique Stopira Tavares of Cape Verde battles with Cedric Mabwati of DR Congo during of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations match between Cape Verde and DR Congo at Ebibeyin Stadium, Equatorial Guinea on 22 January 2015
Julio Tavares of Cape Verde battles with Issampa Djos of DR Congo during of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations match between Cape Verde and DR Congo at Ebibeyin Stadium, Equatorial Guinea on 22 January 2015
Issampa Djos of DR Congo (l) and Ryan Mendes of Cape Verde (r) challenge for the ball during the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations football match between Cape Verde and DR Congo at the Ebibeyin Stadium, Ebibeyin, Equatorial Guinea on 22 January 2015
Julio Tavares of Cape Verde (l) /challenged by Nelson Munganga Omba of DR Congo during the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations football match between Cape Verde and DR Congo at the Ebibeyin Stadium, Ebibeyin, Equatorial Guinea on 22 January 2015
Ryan Mendes of Cape Verde battles with Issampa Djos of DR Congo during of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations match between Cape Verde and DR Congo at Ebibeyin Stadium, Equatorial Guinea on 22 January 2015
Ryan Mendes of Cape Verde battles with Chancel Mbemba of DR Congo during of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations match between Cape Verde and DR Congo at Ebibeyin Stadium, Equatorial Guinea on 22 January 2015
Yannick Bolasie of DR Congo battles with Carlos Calu Lima of Cape Verde during of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations match between Cape Verde and DR Congo at Ebibeyin Stadium, Equatorial Guinea on 22 January 2015
Ryan Mendes of Cape Verde battles with Cedric Mabwati of DR Congo during of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations match between Cape Verde and DR Congo at Ebibeyin Stadium, Equatorial Guinea on 22 January 2015
Ryan Mendes of Cape Verde battles with Cedric Mabwati of DR Congo during of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations match between Cape Verde and DR Congo at Ebibeyin Stadium, Equatorial Guinea on 22 January 2015
Nuno Rocha of Cape Verde battles with Cedric Mabwati of DR Congo during of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations match between Cape Verde and DR Congo at Ebibeyin Stadium, Equatorial Guinea on 22 January 2015
Ryan Mendes of Cape Verde battles with Diedonnei Mbokani of DR Congo during of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations match between Cape Verde and DR Congo at Ebibeyin Stadium, Equatorial Guinea on 22 January 2015
Nuno Rocha of Cape Verde battles with Wahbi Khazri of Tunisia during of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations match between Tunisia and Cape Verde at Ebibeyin Stadium, Equatorial Guinea on 18 January 2015
Heldon Ramos of Cape Verde battles with Aymen Abdennour of Tunisia during of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations match between Tunisia and Cape Verde at Ebibeyin Stadium, Equatorial Guinea on 18 January 2015
Heldon Ramos of Cape Verde battles with Aymen Abdennour of Tunisia during of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations match between Tunisia and Cape Verde at Ebibeyin Stadium, Equatorial Guinea on 18 January 2015
Nuno Rocha of Cape Verde battles with Jamel Saihi of Tunisia during of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations match between Tunisia and Cape Verde at Ebibeyin Stadium, Equatorial Guinea on 18 January 2015
Jailton Miranda of Cape Verde battles with Houcine Nater of Tunisia during of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations match between Tunisia and Cape Verde at Ebibeyin Stadium, Equatorial Guinea on 18 January 2015
Railton Miranda of Cape Verde battles with Hamza Mathlouthi of Tunisia during of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations match between Tunisia and Cape Verde at Ebibeyin Stadium, Equatorial Guinea on 18 January 2015
Heldon Ramos of Cape Verde battles with Wahbi Khazri of Tunisia during of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations match between Tunisia and Cape Verde at Ebibeyin Stadium, Equatorial Guinea on 18 January 2015
Heldon of Cape Verde receives the Orange Man of the Match award from the Orange Fan of the Match during the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations football match between Tunisia and Cape Verde at the Ebibeyin Stadium, Ebibeyin, Equatorial Guinea on 18 January 2015
Ahmed Akaichi of Tunisia challenged by Admilson Gege Barros of Cape Verde during the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations football match between Tunisia and Cape Verde at the Ebibeyin Stadium, Ebibeyin, Equatorial Guinea on 18 January 2015
Carlos Tavares Carlitos of Cape Verde clears from Ahmed Akaichi of Tunisia during the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations football match between Tunisia and Cape Verde at the Ebibeyin Stadium, Ebibeyin, Equatorial Guinea on 18 January 2015
Nuno Rocha of Cape Verde fouled by Yassine Chikhaoui of Tunisia during the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations football match between Tunisia and Cape Verde at the Ebibeyin Stadium, Ebibeyin, Equatorial Guinea on 18 January 2015
Ali Maaloul of Tunisia challenged by Heldon of Cape Verde during the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations football match between Tunisia and Cape Verde at the Ebibeyin Stadium, Ebibeyin, Equatorial Guinea on 18 January 2015
Cape Verde
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