The first team to be guaranteed a spot in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Round of 16 for 2023 is Cape Verde.
With a 3-0 victory over Mozambique, the Blue Sharks cemented their control of Group B.
Bebe, a former Manchester United player, became Cape Verde’s hero by scoring a decisive first goal that sealed their victory. The 33-year-old’s incredible long-range free-kick attempt that struck the woodwork was just one of his unwavering efforts that demonstrated his skill and perseverance on the field.
Cape Verde maintained control of the game even after a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review changed a penalty call in Mozambique’s favor.
In the 51st minute, Ryan Mendes scored the second goal by taking advantage of a defensive blunder. Kevin Lenini’s spectacular long-range goal to seal the victory highlighted Cape Verde’s outstanding performance.
Cape Verde is now guaranteed a spot in the Round of 16, having amassed six points in Group B. They have nothing to lose going into their next matchup with Egypt on Monday.
Mozambique, on the other hand, will need to defeat Ghana on Monday in order to move on to the next round of the competition.
Fans are excitedly awaiting Cape Verde’s continued participation in the tournament after their outstanding performance in the tournament established them as a team to watch in the later stages of AFCON 2023.
