Cape Verde coach: We once didn’t even have suitable jerseys, and the expansion is an extra incentive for the team

October 16 News On October 13, the African island nation of Cape Verde qualified for the World Cup for the first time. Cape Verde has a total population of just over 500,000 and a total area of ​​only 4,033 square kilometers.

Bubista, head coach of the Cape Verde national team, faced huge difficulties when he played for the national team as a player at the beginning of this century. He recalled, "We didn't even have the right jerseys."

Twenty years later, Bubista led Cape Verde to the World Cup for the first time, which was an extraordinary achievement for a country with a population of just over half a million.

"This is a victory for the people of Cape Verde, whether they are at home or abroad. It is also a victory for unity," he said.

"We have good players. But without our history, our past, we would not be where we are today. Our path has led us to where we are now. So this victory also belongs to everyone who has contributed and helped us... In terms of organization, the Football Association does it for everyone It's a great job. When everything is harmonious and the players are united... all of that has allowed us to get to where we are today."

Another key factor is the expansion of the World Cup to 48 teams, with the number of African spots increased from five to nine, plus a possible 10th spot through the play-offs. Bubista believes this is an extra incentive for the team.

"I have always said - and had the opportunity to say it at a CAF meeting - that if there were more seats, smaller countries would have more opportunities to fight for them. It's not just us: countries in other parts of the world are also fighting for seats," he said.

"Having nine spots opened up a new perspective. Previously, in the qualifying rounds, even if we qualified first in the group, we still had to play in the play-offs... It was a two-leg match, which was very difficult for small countries. As soon as we knew that nine teams would advance directly, we told ourselves that we had to be one of them. Now we did it."