2026 WorldCape Verde Aim To 'Do The Impossible' As Keeper's Mother Arrives
MIAMI, June 21 (Bernama-PA Media/dpa) -- Cape Verde’s coach has challenged the team to “do the impossible” and build on their shock draw against Spain by sealing a place in the World Cup’s last 32.
The African nation marked their debut by holding European champions Spain goalless in their opening match on Monday, delighting fans in their own country but also winning the hearts of neutrals worldwide with their tenacious display.
The mother of Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha, who shone against the Spaniards, has arrived in Miami in time for Sunday’s next match with twice world champions Uruguay, according to dpa.
The 40-year-old expressed his sadness at the fact his mother, Ana Candia Evora, had not been present for the Spain game due to the cost of a visa.
But after an intervention from the Democratic leader in the House of Representatives, Hakeem Jeffries, the US State Department confirmed the fees would be waived and she is now in the US for Cape Verde’s second match.
Their coach, Bubista, said qualification from a tough-looking Group H remains the goal.
“We’re a small country and we showed up (against Spain). We have a big heart, we have resilience,” he said at a press conference on Saturday.
“We’ve been trying to show the identity of our people, which is to be courageous, to have unity and to fight hard for things, and we want to try to do the impossible.
“We know just how good Uruguay are, but we trust our preparation, we trust our players as well. We’re going to do everything possible so that we can achieve that objective, which is to get that qualification for the next round.”
Cape Verde player Garry Rodrigues admitted the draw against Spain had been a “shock” for everyone but added: “I was very proud of my team, proud of the coach, proud of how we fought in this game.
“We didn’t give them many chances and I think we deserved the draw, because the way we were defending and the way we were respecting our strategy was amazing.”
-- BERNAMA-dpa
