CAPE VERDE
FIFA Rank: 63
Coach: Lucio Antunes
Captain: Fernando "Nando" Maria Neves
Nickname: Blue Sharks
Previous AFCON finish: N/A
AFCON PEDIGREE:
Cape Verde will be making their Africa Cup of Nations debut in South Africa in 2013 having failed to qualify for any of the previous tournaments. They sensationally defeated Cameroon 3-2 on aggregate in a two-legged second-round play-off after a 2-1 defeat away from home having won the home leg 2-0.
Lúcio Antunes' side had comprehensively defeated Madagascar 7-1 on aggregate in the first qualifying round.
It was a case of eighth time lucky for Cape Verde with their previous best coming in 2006 when they advanced to the African Nations Cup final qualifying round by beating Swaziland and securing their first-ever away victory against Burkina Faso, but finished fifth in their group and missing out on qualification.
Under coach Joăo de Deus (2008-2010) who roped in a number of European-based players, their performances where notably improving, but they again failed to qualify for the 2010 and 2012 tournaments.
Cape Verde were drawn into Group A of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, alongside Angola, Morocco and South Africa and will play the opening match of the tournament against the host nation on 19 January 2013.
And interestingly they were the highest FIFA-ranked side of any team in their group at the time of the draw, in 51st, with Morocco 71st, South Africa 72nd and Angola in 83rd place.
SQUAD OVERVIEW:
A large proportion of their players are based overseas, in Asia and Europe, with a small number having also been born away from the islands as well.
They have missed out on some talented individuals in years gone by with those individuals having chosen to represent other nations. These include the likes of Manchester United winger Nani and FC Porto's Silvestre Varela (both Portugal), Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira (France) and Henrik Larsson (Sweden), to name but a few.
They do, however, have inspirational captain Fernando Neves who has been a regular in the side since 2005. The 34-year-old centre-back, who began his career with Portuguese side Amarante, has also played for Portimonense SC, Grasshopper, US Monastir, Al-Siliya, FC Baník Ostrava and is currently contracted to LB Chateauroux.
FULL SQUAD:
Goalkeepers: Fock (Petro Atletico), Rilly (Mindelense), Vozinha (Progresso Sambizanga)
Defenders: Carlitos (AEL Limassol), Fernando Varela (FC Vaslui), Gege (Maritimo), Guy Ramos (RKC Waalwijk), Josimar (FC Dordrecht), Nando (Chateauroux), Nivaldo (Academica Coimbra), Pecks (Gil Vicente)
Midfielders: Babanco, David Silva (both Olhanense), Marco Soares (Omonia Nicosia), Odair Fortes (Stade Reims), Roni (Fola Esch), Stenio (Feirense), Toni Varela (Sparta Rotterdam)
Strikers: Djaniny (Olhanense), Heldon (Maritimo), Julio Tavares (Dijon), Ryan Mendes (OSC Lille), Ze Luis (Sporting Braga).
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