Cape Verde has become the first African nation to unveil its final list of 23 players for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN). Coach Lucio Antunes opted for clarity and promptly revealed the squad for the country’s historic first appearance in the tournament. Some players, while not widely recognized, have been making names for themselves in European football. Notable selections include Ryan Mendes, who plays for Lille in Ligue 1, and Odair Fortes from Reims. The squad also features the surprise first call-up of Rili, a goalkeeper playing in the national championship, and the absence of Adilson Cabral from FC Basel.
Cape Verde is placed in Group A for CAN 2013, alongside South Africa, Morocco, and Angola. The tournament is scheduled to take place from January 19 to February 10. Here is the list of the 23 players:
Goalkeepers:
- Vozinha (Progresso, Angola)
- Fredson Fock (Batuque, Cape Verde)
- Rili (Mindelense, Cape Verde)
Defenders: 4. Pecks (Gil Vicente, Portugal)
- Gegê (Marítimo B, Portugal)
- Carlitos (AEL, Cyprus)
- Nando (Chateauroux, France)
- Fernando Varela (Vaslui, Romania)
- Josimar Lima (FC Dordrecht, Netherlands)
- Guy Ramos (RKC Waalwijk, Netherlands)
- Nivaldo (Académica, Portugal)
Midfielders: 12. Babanco (Olhanense, Portugal)
- Marco Soares (Omónia, Cyprus)
- Sténio (Feirense, Portugal)
- Rony (FC Fola, Luxembourg)
- Odair Fortes (Reims, France)
- Tony Varela (Sparta, Netherlands)
- David Silva (Olhanense, Portugal)
Attackers: 19. Djaniny (Olhanense, Portugal)
- Ryan Mendes (Lille, France)
- Zé Luís (Braga, Portugal)
- Nhuck Heldon (Marítimo, Portugal)
- Júlio Tavares (Dijon, France).
