In a decisive moment for Cape Verde in the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, Ryan Mendes, who earned the Man of the Match award for his stellar performance against Mozambique in the second round of Group B, expressed that the upcoming match against Egypt would be solely for enjoyment.
Speaking at the sidelines of his accolade for the best player in the Mozambique encounter, Mendes stated, “We delivered a tremendous match and confirmed our qualification.
It’s now guaranteed with the official qualification, and we have a match against Egypt where we will relax and simply enjoy ourselves.”
Mendes, the Most Capped Player
Mendes, having played 70 matches, has become the most capped player for the Cape Verde national team. His contributions include 16 goals, making him the historical top scorer for the Blue Sharks.
Cape Verde Secures AFCON Knockout Berth
Cape Verde has achieved the distinction of being the first team to secure a spot in the knockout stage of the Africa Cup of Nations after victories against Ghana and Mozambique.
The team is now gearing up for a challenging encounter against Egypt. In this match, a victory for the national team would ensure direct qualification to the Round of 16, without having to consider other scenarios.
The assurance of qualification has allowed Mendes and his teammates to approach the match against Egypt with a sense of ease and enjoyment, highlighting the team’s confidence and determination as they progress in the prestigious continental tournament.
