Have a weekend, Cape Verde.
returned home Sunday as heroes after their run to the round of 32 of the World Cup and pushing into extra time. The men’s basketball team clinched a berth in the second round of that sport’s World Cup qualifying as well.
And all this happened during an already joyous time in Cape Verde 鈥� Sunday was Independence Day.
鈥淰iva Cape Verde,鈥� basketball coach Emanuel Trovoada said after his team beat Libya on Sunday in a World Cup qualifying matchup in Cameroon.
Viva Cape Verde, indeed. Not bad for a country of about 500,000 people 鈥� the smallest, in terms of land mass, ever to reach the World Cup.
Independence Day was already going to be a day of celebration across the island nation off the western coast of Africa, but Sunday 鈥� with the soccer team returning from Miami 鈥� only made it more festive. Vozinha, the goalkeeper, captured video footage of workers on the tarmac dropping to their knees and bowing as the plane taxied into its gate.
Eventually 鈥� after interviews that were followed by countless hugs, high-fives and selfies with well-wishers at the airport 鈥� players and coaches were loaded onto the back of a truck and paraded through thousands of cheering fans. Flags swayed in the breeze on a sunny afternoon, drummers took to the streets and dance troupes were part of the celebration.
鈥淲e gave it all for Cape Verde,鈥� defender Pico Lopes said.
The soccer team was in the World Cup for the first time this year. The basketball team 鈥� which got its second-round berth locked up on Saturday, before it easily beat Libya on Sunday 鈥� made its inaugural World Cup appearance in 2023 and will resume qualifying in late August with hopes of getting in to the 2027 event.
鈥淭his is historic. This is important,鈥� Trovoada said. 鈥淥ur soccer team has returned to the country 鈥� for a party.鈥�
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