Cape Verde Football Federation President Aims for Consistent Tournament Qualification
Mário Semedo, President of the Cape Verde Football Federation (FCF), has expressed his ambition for the national team, the Blue Sharks, to consistently reach major tournament finals. Despite missing the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) unexpectedly, Semedo believes the team can be favorites for the 2027 CAN qualifiers, which begin in September. He highlighted the team's impressive debut at the 2026 World Cup, where they drew with Spain and Uruguay and narrowly lost to eventual champions Argentina. This performance has increased Cape Verde's visibility, making them a target for other nations, a reality Semedo acknowledges.
Semedo has renewed the contract of national team coach Pedro Brito "Bubista" before the World Cup, entrusting him with future campaigns, including the 2030 World Cup. While acknowledging the risks associated with coaching, Semedo views Bubista as a highly regarded coach. The FCF president also emphasized the ongoing importance of player scouting and recruitment, noting that new players were called up for recent FIFA Series friendlies and will continue to be given opportunities. Investment in domestic competitions and youth development are key priorities for utilizing funds earned from the World Cup participation, after covering all expenses related to player commitments and logistics. Semedo clarified that FIFA funding does not cover all costs, and significant expenses are incurred by the federation.
The FCF is also focusing on institutional development, seeking to establish a framework law for football schools to ensure proper guidance and funding. Semedo maintains strong relationships with the Portuguese Football Federation and federations in Senegal and Ivory Coast, viewing them as potential models. He noted that managing success after the World Cup has been challenging due to increased scrutiny. Looking ahead, the FCF's attention is also on the women's national team, coached by Silvéria Nédio, which will make its debut in the Women's Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco starting July 26th. Semedo described this as a significant challenge requiring thorough preparation for matches against Ghana, Cameroon, and Mali in Group D.
The Cape Verde Football Federation's aspirations reflect a strategic pivot driven by recent international success. The federation's stated goal of consistent qualification suggests a focus on leveraging the increased global visibility and potential financial windfalls from the World Cup appearance to build sustainable football infrastructure. Key challenges include managing heightened expectations, ensuring equitable distribution of resources between domestic and international programs, and developing robust governance frameworks for football academies. The federation's engagement with international partners indicates an understanding of the need for external expertise and best practices. Future success will likely depend on the ability to translate this momentum into structured development, effectively balancing immediate competitive goals with long-term talent cultivation and institutional strengthening.
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