Tens of Thousands Welcome Cape Verde’s “Blue Sharks” Home After Heroic World Cup Run
By Akpo ESCO
The Cape Verde national team received a hero’s welcome in Praia on Sunday, as tens of thousands of fans packed the airport to celebrate the Blue Sharks’ historic World Cup campaign.
The team returned to the capital after a dramatic exit in the knockout stage against defending champions Argentina. The airport turned into a full-blown street party, with drums beating, flags waving, dancing and chants filling the air.
Goalkeeper Vozinha — real name Josimar José Évora Dias whose performances made headlines around the world, spoke to the BBC in a white Cape Verde T-shirt:
“It is a very great moment for us to be here with our people. We wanted something bigger but we didn’t go to the next stage. Now we just enjoy the moment and celebrate with our people.”
Fans shouted Vozinha’s name, along with those of other standouts like centre-back Pico Lopes. Players spent time signing jerseys and taking photos as the crowd showed their appreciation.
For many supporters, this was about more than results. One fan told the BBC she came to thank the team for representing the World Cup’s second-smallest nation with pride. It was Cape Verde’s first ever World Cup, yet they went toe-toe with giants like Spain and Uruguay.
The timing made it even more special. The homecoming fell on Cape Verde’s Independence Day, marking 51 years since the end of Portuguese colonial rule.
Ranked 67th in the world coming into the tournament, Cape Verde surprised everyone. They opened with a 0-0 draw against European champions Spain and picked up three group-stage draws to advance.
Against Argentina, they traded blows. Messi put Argentina ahead, Cape Verde equalized at 1-1, then went behind again before Sidny Lopes Cabral struck a stunning goal to level in extra time. Heartbreak came late when a deflection off Diney Borges from a Cristian Romero header sent Argentina through.
Despite the loss, coach Pedro Leitão Brito said he couldn’t be prouder.
“We showed that we may be a small country but we can play against the best teams in the world,” he said. “That’s a reason for pride. We made history for our country. They can be proud for representing our country.”
