Cape Verde coach, Bubista, is confident that the Blue Sharks have the quality needed to defeat the Super Eagles of Nigeria in Tuesday’s 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying Group C match at the Estadio Aderito Sena in Mindelo, Completesports repors.

Bubista (full name: Pedro Leitoo Brito), a former national team defender and captain who was appointed the Blue Sharks coach in January 2020 is looking to make a huge success of his job by leading the team to Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup, and he is urging his players’ self-belief to fight and bag the maximum points against the Super Eagles in Mindelo.

Cape Verde are currently second, behind Nigeria in the Group C table after securing a 1-1 away draw against Central African Republic on matchday-1, while the Super Eagles won 2-0 at home against Liberia.

Julio Tavares scored in the 36th minute for the Blue Sharks at CAR’s makeshift home ground, Stade Omnisport de Douala Cameroon last week Wednesday. Trevor Toropite equalised for CAR in the 53rd minute. Busbista and his players are very wary of dropping points at home and letting the Super Eagles open up wider gap as the Group C leader.

“We know the quality of Nigeria, but we’ve been evolving as a team and our team takes the field always with the spirit of victory. Nowadays our players feel that when they enter the field they will fight equal to equal with any team,” Bubista said in a post on FCF Instagram page.

Cape Verde captain, Lanique Dos Santos Tavares, a.k.a Stopira, a left-back who plays his club football for Hungarian top league side side, Fehervar FC, says the player feels motivated to fight and win, especially for their fans who have been barred from Estadio Aderito Sena for the match due to Covid-19 pandemic.

“It’s too bad, we wanted the fans in the stadium but unfortunately it’s not a decision that depends on us, but we’ve been feeling affection from the supporters and that’s rewarding and that gives us confidence,” Stopira stated on the FCF (Federacao Cabo-Verdiana De Futebol) Instagram page.

KV Oostende midfieder, Kenny Rocha Santos said: “We’re preparing
well for the next game. We know Nigeria is a great team but we also have our quality.”

Portugues- born Cape Verdean left-back, Henrique Brito, who plays for Portuguese Liga 3 side, Felgueiras, is also in cocky mood ahead of the Blue Sharks’ clash with the Super Eagles.

“We know that the fans of Saoo Vicente is with us and we will do everything to give them victory,” said Brito who was called up for the first time for Cape Varde’s September matches against CAR and Nigeria.

By Nnamdi Ezekute