Portuguese trainer Pedro Leitao Brito, known as Bubista, who is the head coach of Cape Verde national team, has named the squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Ghana’s group opponents are making their 4th appearance in the continental showpiece.
The squad includes experienced Ryan Mendes, who is now with Fatih Karamguruk in Turkey alongside another Turkish based Garry Rodriguez of Ankaragucu and Jorge Semedo of Al Fateh in the Saudi Pro League.
Tavares Stopira, who has been a pillar in their defensive backline, has also been named in the squad by Bubista.
Meanwhile, French based Logan Costa, who plays for Toulouse in the Ligue 1, is also part of the squad.
Surprisingly omitted from the squad has been Luis Henriques Barros, known as Duk, who plies his trade with Aberdeen in the Scottish League.
Not been a traditional in the AFCON, the Portuguese colonized country from West Africa only made their maiden Afcon appearance in 2013 at South Africa, where they reached quarter finals.
The Blue Sharks suffered group stage eliminations in their last two participations.
Cape Verde have been paired in Group B with Ghana, Egypt, and fellow Portuguese colonized nation Mozambique.
With all their group games at Stade Felix Houphouët Boigny in Abidjan, their first match is against the Black Stars of Ghana on January 14.
They play the second game against Mozambique before meeting record champions Egypt in the third group game all in Abidjan.
These are the players who made the cut in the full Cape Verde squad for AFCON 2023.
