Cape Verde Names Squad for 2017 AFCON Qualifier Against São Tomé and Príncipe
As Cape Verde gears up for the start of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, head coach Rui Águas has announced a 23-man squad for their June 13 clash against São Tomé and Príncipe in Praia.
The list includes a mix of familiar faces and new call-ups. Among the notable absentees is Ryan Mendes of Lille, who is sidelined for six weeks due to a sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee.
Newcomers to the squad include goalkeeper William Lima, defender Vally, midfielder Tom, and wingers Rudy and Brito.
Cape Verde, who impressed as quarter-finalists in their debut CAN appearance in 2013, are aiming to bounce back after a group stage exit in Equatorial Guinea earlier this year.
🟦 Cape Verde Squad:
🔒 Goalkeepers:
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Ken (Nacional da Madeira)
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William Lima (São Vicente Derby)
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Vozinha (Mindelense de São Vicente)
🛡️ Defenders:
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Carlitos (AEL Limassol, Cyprus)
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Stopira (Videoton, Hungary)
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Jeffrey (DFC Dordrecht, Netherlands)
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Kay (Universitatea Craiova, Romania)
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Steven Fortes (Le Havre, France)
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Vally (Progresso da Lunda Sul, Angola)
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Nivaldo (Dinamo Minsk, Belarus)
⚙️ Midfielders:
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Calú (Mindelense – São Vicente)
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Babanco (Estoril Praia)
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Nuno Rocha (Universitatea Craiova, Romania)
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Sérgio Semedo (Gil Vicente)
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Tom (Oriental)
⚡ Forwards:
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Djaniny (Santos Laguna, Mexico)
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Odair Fortes (Stade de Reims, France)
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Brito (Boavista)
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Rudy (Spartak – Fogo)
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Garry Rodrigues (Elche, Spain)
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Júlio Tavares (Dijon, France)
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Heldon Ramos (Córdoba, Spain)
The Blue Sharks will be looking to start their qualifying campaign on a strong note and reaffirm their place among the continent’s rising football nations.
