TotalEnergies AFCON 2021: Cape Verde reveals squad
Cape Verde revealed a 26-man squad for their TotalEnergies AFCON, Cameroon 2021 campaign.
The Blue Sharks appear in the continent’s flagship competition for the third time, and will compete in Group A beside hosts Cameroon, Burkina Faso and Ethiopia.
“The Blue Sharks are going to have to fight to reach the next round”, coach Bubista told CAFOnline.com. “Our goal is to go beyond the group stage and play in the second round.”
“For that, Cape Verde will give themselves all the means to get there with responsibility and a lot of desire”, he added.
The Blue Sharks will start their preparations on 26 December at home, before flying to Morocco where they will face the Atlas Lions in a friendly on 31 December 31.
“It is planned to look for another friendly before the departure for Cameroon where we will continue our camp,” Bubista declared.
In its history, Cape Verde have taken part in two African Cup of Nations finals in 2013 (South Africa) and 2015 (Equatorial Guinea).
The squad witnessed the returns of goalkeeper Keven Ramos (the only local based player), forwards Djaniny Semedo and Lisandro Semedo after a long absence due to injuries.
The notable absentees are Zé Luís, Lokomotiv Moscow forward, who is usually a regular in the Cape Verdean team.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Vizinha (AEL Limassol, Cyprus), Marcio Rosa (Montalegre, Portugal), Keven Ramos (Mindelense)
Defenders: Stopira (Mol Fehervar, Hungary), Steven Fortes (Ostende, Belgium), Roberto Lopes (Shamrock Rovers, Ireland), Diney Borges (FAR Rabat, Morocco), Ponck (Basaksehir, Turkey), Dylan Tavares (Neuchâtel Xamax (Switzerland) ), Steve Furtado (Beroe, Bulgaria), Jeffrey Fortes (De Grafschaap, Netherlands)
Midfielders: Marco Soares (Arouca, Portugal), Nuno Borges (Casa Pia, Portugal), Kenny Rocha (Ostende, Belgium), Nennas (Aalesund, Norway), Jamiro Monteiro (Philadelphia Union, USA), João Paulo Fernandes (Feirense, Portugal), Patrick Andrade (Qarabag, Azerbaijan)
Forwards: Ryan – (Al Nassr, United Arab Emirates), Lisandro Semedo (Fortuna Sittard, Netherlands), Garry Rodrigues (Olympiacos, Greece), Willis Furtado (FK Jerv, Norway), Willy Semedo (Pafos, Cyprus), Djaniny (Trabzonspor (Turkish), Julio Tavares (Al Faisaly (Saudi Arabia), Gilson Tavares (Estoril, Portugal)
Source: CAFonline.com
