The Cape Verdean Football Federation (FCF) has assured that the country’s national team is united and poised to beat the Super Eagles of Nigeria, despite the exit of their striker Ricardo Gomes from camp claiming injury.

The FCF made this known in a press statement released on Sunday.

After holding Central African Republic to a 1-1 draw away on matchday one, the Blue Sharks will hope to secure their first win when they host the Eagles on Tuesday.

But they will have to do it without the services of Gomes.

The statement read:”Following information that got to the public, through the nicado, by the player Ricardo Gomes, 29 years old, who has played in 16 games and scored four goals for the Cape Verde national team, the Cape Verdean Football Federation
informs the following: The referred player communicated to the medical team and the technical team of the Blue Sharks, after their integration in the selection stage, in Douala, Cameroon, who was injured, having performed
conditioning training, in the only training that he was present before the first game.

 “Same player (Gomes) reported to the medical and technical staff who said he would not be in physical condition to participate in the match, not even to be included among the substitutes for the game against Central Atlfricana Republic, on the 1st of September.

“The national delegation carried out, on September 2nd, the trip to Mindelo to start preparations for the second match against Nigeria.

“The entourage left the hotel
in Douala at 8:30 am,  arrived in Mindelo at 20:00, thus making it impossible for any training or treatment session by the 
doctor for the whole team.

 “On the 3rd of September (Friday), the Blue Sharks performed
the first training session at Adérito Stadium Senna, with the aforementioned player performing a recovery training together with the players who featured against the Central African Republic, as he is yet to recover from the injury that prevented him from participating in the match against Central African Republic.

“On September 4th, Saturday,
during the 2nd training of the Blue Sharks in Mindelo, given that the
player would still be recovering from
his injury, the technical department and the medical department understood that there should be integration of the player, in the sessions of training.  Being an exercise, inserted in training, with the participation of all 26 players of the Blue Sharks, there was always, at each moment, the rotating participation of players.

“At the end of September 4th, the
said player decided to leave the hotel where the Blue Sharks were lodge for trainings.

“We further inform that, the conditions of travel and accommodation are the same for all elements of the entourage
that make up the National Team
and that the main feature that
unites the elements of the delegation is the spirit of sacrifice that everyone do to represent Cape Varde with pride.

 “All 26 players that in this moment are at the service of the national team, like this, currently they are not integrated in the group, must be available to serve the national team and respect technical decisions, which includes the possibility of being a starter, used substitute, unused substitute, or not called up.

“Above all, there is the unity in the 
group and with single objective: to win the next game.

“We wish the player, Ricardo Gomes  good luck on his journey,  professional and personal.”