Cape Verde Announces 23-Man Squad for 2015 AFCON in Equatorial Guinea
Cape Verde, surprise quarter-finalists at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, have officially named their 23-man squad for the 2015 AFCON, set to kick off on January 17 in Equatorial Guinea. Under the guidance of Portuguese coach Rui Águas, the Blue Sharks will look to build on their rising reputation on the continent.
Twelve players from the 2013 team return, including key figures such as:
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Ryan Mendes (Lille, France)
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Odair Fortes (Reims, France)
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Julio Tavares (Dijon, France)
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Heldon Ramos (Sporting, Portugal)
The squad features a strong European-based contingent, with players from France, Portugal, Romania, and beyond. Cape Verde will train in Portugal, with friendlies scheduled against:
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Equatorial Guinea (date TBD)
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Estoril (Portugal) (date TBD)
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Congo on January 10 in Dakar, Senegal
They’ll compete in Group B alongside Zambia, DR Congo, and Tunisia.
🇨🇻 Cape Verde 2015 AFCON Squad
Goalkeepers:
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Josimar Dias “Vozinha” (Progresso Sambizanga, Angola)
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Kevin Sousa “Ken” (Nacional, Portugal)
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Ivan Cruz “Ivan” (Gil Vicente, Portugal)
Defenders:
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Carlos Daniel Garcia “Kay” (Universitatea Craiova, Romania)
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Carlos Tavares “Carlitos” (Apoel Limassol, Cyprus)
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Nivaldo Santos (Teplice, Czech Republic)
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Fernando Varela (Steaua Bucharest, Romania)
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Ianique Tavares “Stopira” (Videoton, Hungary)
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Admilson Barros “Gegé” (Marítimo, Portugal)
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Jeffrey Fortes (Dordrecht, Netherlands)
Midfielders:
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Elvis Macedo “Babanco” (Estoril Praia, Portugal)
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Sérgio Semedo “Samedo” (Olhanense, Portugal)
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Luis Carlos Soares “Platini” (CSKA Sofia, Bulgaria)
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Nuno Rocha (Universitatea Craiova, Romania)
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Tony Varela “Toni” (Excelsior, Netherlands)
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Carlos Lima “Calú” (Progresso Sambizanga, Angola)
Forwards:
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Jorge Djaniny (Santos Laguna, Mexico)
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Júlio Tavares (Dijon, France)
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Ryan Mendes (Lille, France)
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Héldon Ramos (Sporting, Portugal)
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Garry Mendes Rodrigues (Elche, Spain)
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Odair Fortes (Reims, France)
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Jailton Alves Miranda “Kuca” (Estoril Praia, Portugal)
The team enters the tournament with quiet confidence and will be looking to surprise again, just as they did in South Africa two years ago.
