World Cup (Q): Former captain Soares says Cape Verde “have to be true to themselves”

Cape Verde are on the verge of a first-ever World Cup qualification and former captain Marco Soares addressed the atmosphere and what players are going through ahead of the Blue Sharks’ final 2026 qualifiers this week.

 

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The island nation are one victory away from a historic accomplishment and their first mission will be in Tripoli, where the team has arrived for a difficult clash against hosts Libya. The North African side remain in contention to finish as runners-up and maintain their own qualification hopes in front of a passionate and vocal crowd.

Soares made over 50 appearances for the Blue Sharks and led the nation to their first-ever appearance at a major tournament by qualifying for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations. Now an assistant coach at Portuguese club Paredes, Soares acknowledged that the task will not be easy with an even greater accomplishment within reach:

“I believe that now, as we get closer, the anxiety will be even greater, but the only thing they have to do is be true to themselves, to what they’ve done so far, because what they’ve done has been a testament to all the work they’ve done, and let things unfold naturally, because the quality is there and will eventually come to the fore. But above all, they must remain humble and down-to-earth, because nothing is guaranteed yet,” Soares said in comments to Lusa News Agency.

“One thing they have to get into their heads is that they have 180 minutes to bring joy to many Cape Verdeans who have had lives and lives of suffering, but who at that moment will only want to be able to say Cape Verde is in the World Cup and they have that responsibility, but it is a good responsibility.”

Cape Verde need just one win for World Cup qualification

Four points ahead of Cameroon after defeating the Indomitable Lions at home in September, the islanders have given themselves breathing room. Even if they lose to Libya, the Blue Sharks can still finish the job in front of their home supporters in the Cape Verdean capital of Praia when they face already eliminated Eswatini in the final qualifying fixture.

The group leaders face Libya on Wednesday before finishing up play in Group D against Eswatini next Monday.