I’m not following AFCON closely but the Cape Verde story is as good an underdog story as you will get.
Cape Verde have qualified Top of Group B above Egypt and Ghana who are two of the three most successful teams in AFCON history with a game in hand. Both Egypt and Ghana have won the event more times than Cape Verde have managed to qualify.
Up until 25 years ago the country had no grass football pitches at all.
Cape Verde has a population of around 550,000, the same as Buckinghamshire and 200 times smaller than Egypt.
Can the Blue Sharks beat Egypt next week to make it through with a 100% record in the group stage?
They're punching above their weight for sure, although those aren't particularly good Egypt and Ghana sides. I think they'll do well out of players who opt for them over Portugal in the years to come - it's already happening.
Ah that's interesting. Hopefully they can keep hold of more players going forward. They've had a few big ones in the past - Nani springs to mind - who've opted for other countries, understandably really.
Comments
Oh what, Toaster doesn't even make the bench for Zambia
Hopefully he’ll pop up later in the tournament.
He doesn't want to burn out early.
Knockout stages are his bread and butter
A couple of good seasons at Wycombe and Kone will be playing for the Ivory Toast (Ivory Coast)
It's not funny when you have to explain 😉
Just leave it as a whimsical Gambia-it
Agreed, use your loaf.
However you slice it..Egypt always win
A pharoah'ld statement to make, but I stand by it
Well they are much higher up the pyramid
I think the other teams are in de Nile
Didn’t fancy this thread when it first appeared but glad to be here now. The punning is brilliant.
Looking forward to Samoa.
Invalid pun. Time Togo.
Geography doesn't exist in your ivory coast tower
I should have known this thread was Ghana get out of hand
2023? you're guinea have to change your calendar
Blame CAF not me my Yerkshire brethren.
Going to Wigan @YorkshireBlue ?
It's a toss up between Wigan or Bolton. Gotta save the pennies and occassionaly spend time with my family lol. You?
Will probably do both. Only been to Bradford this season.
Lift possible next Tuesday anyway. Which part of God's own county (lol) do you reside?
Leeds. You? We can PM.
Egypt Ghana has suddenly become a goalfest. 3 in 5 minutes.
I’m not following AFCON closely but the Cape Verde story is as good an underdog story as you will get.
Cape Verde have qualified Top of Group B above Egypt and Ghana who are two of the three most successful teams in AFCON history with a game in hand. Both Egypt and Ghana have won the event more times than Cape Verde have managed to qualify.
Up until 25 years ago the country had no grass football pitches at all.
Cape Verde has a population of around 550,000, the same as Buckinghamshire and 200 times smaller than Egypt.
Can the Blue Sharks beat Egypt next week to make it through with a 100% record in the group stage?
They're punching above their weight for sure, although those aren't particularly good Egypt and Ghana sides. I think they'll do well out of players who opt for them over Portugal in the years to come - it's already happening.
Though Cape Verde clearly has a historical link with Portugal the current team has stronger links to France and Holland, especially Rotterdam.
They are currently 73rd in the World ratings, just one place below Northern Ireland who no doubt they will now overtake after this week.
Not The Ghanaian side but...
https://www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/news/24062938.ghanaian-football-team-play-wycombe-wanderers-shirts/
Ah that's interesting. Hopefully they can keep hold of more players going forward. They've had a few big ones in the past - Nani springs to mind - who've opted for other countries, understandably really.
Nani was born in Portugal but has Cape Verde ancestry.
These are the players born in Cape Verde but who have chosen to play for Portugal
@drcongo 1-0 down to Morocco and up against it to make the last 16 as things stand
Who's actually running the Gasroom while the boss is on international duty?