This Sunday, July 5, the Cape Verde team received a massive reception in Praia, after completing the best participation in its history at a FIFA World Cup.
Thousands of fans accompanied the arrival of the Blue Sharks to the Nelson Mandela International Airport, where a caravan organized by the Cape Verdean Football Federation began that traveled through different sectors of the capital to Quebra Canela.
The welcome coincided with the official celebrations for the 51st anniversary of the independence of Cape Verdewhich turned the day into a double celebration for the country.
The activities included official events at the National Assembly and the Presidential Palace, where the authorities recognized the team’s performance and highlighted the impact that its World Cup participation had on the international image of the archipelago and the Cape Verdean community residing abroad.
On a sporting level, Cape Verde had one of the most outstanding campaigns among debutant teams in a World Cup.
The team led by Pedro Leitão Brito came through the group stage undefeated with draws against Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia, and subsequently took Argentina to extra time in the round of 32, before losing 3-2 in Miami.
The team’s performance also consolidated the goalkeeper and Captain Vozinha, 40 years oldas one of the most outstanding footballers of the tournament and one of the symbols of a team that competed as equals against the current world champion.
Although the World Cup adventure ended in the first round of direct elimination, the reception in Praia confirmed that, for Cape Verde, the result transcended the scoreboard: the country’s first participation in a World Cup was established as one of the greatest sporting achievements in its history.