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Former Cape Verde star defender Pedro Miguel Cardoso Monteiro popularly known as, Pele, has said with the impressive performance of his country at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, they can now compete with any team in Africa.
Despite making their debut at this year’s World Cup, Cape Verde’s Blue Sharks have been one of the revelations of the tournament.
Not a few tipped Cape Verde to be the whipping boys in Group H that two former World Cup champions Spain and Uruguay as well as Saudi Arabia.
But Cape Verde pulled one of the shocks of the tournament after holding Spain to a 0-0 draw, and repeated the feat this time a 2-2 draw with Uruguay.
The Blue Sharks now have a big chance to progress to the round of 32 only if they defeat Saudi Arabia in the early hours of Saturday.
Following their wonderful performance Pele, who played for Cape Verde between 2006 to 2009, believes the little Island country can now hold their own against Africa’s finest especially at the Africa Cup of Nations.
At the AFCON, Cape Verde’s best achievement was reaching the quarterfinals at the 2013 and 2023 editions.
“The main thing is that Cabo Verde can compete at AFCON,” the 48-year-old told Boyle Sports in an exclusive interview. “We can compete with anybody in Africa but we showed against Spain we can compete with anyone around the world too.
“The aim has to be to keep playing at the World Cup and get to a point where you can compete and then win something like AFCON but I’m already very happy with where the country is right now and the progression from all these years to where we are today.
“Hopefully things will keep going and we’ll get there.”
Also Read: World Cup 2026: Oliseh Picks Cape Verde As Africa’s Most Impressive Team
Pele is optimistic that Cape Verde players will be in high demand in the transfer market after the 2026 World Cup.
“I think Cabo Verde have a good mixture of experienced players but it’s still a young squad, and many of the players already play in Europe and in Africa. I don’t believe anyone in the national team still plays in the islands but obviously this World Cup, after a game like Spain, will put the country in everybody’s eyes.
“Everybody will know that game and the players and a lot of people now will know about the talent Cabo Verde have, who might play for a smaller team now but have a chance now to move on and better their careers next season.”
One of the standout performer for the Blue Sharks is their 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha, who Pele is backing to attract offers from clubs despite his age.
“If you are the goalkeeper of a national team, you have to be one of the best in your country, but when you play against a big team like Spain you expect you’re going to have a lot of work to do, and you’re hoping your goalkeeper is going to help you.
“I heard of Vozinha when I was still playing for Cabo Verde and some of the players obviously spoke about him so I heard little bits about him. As a defender myself, I always expected my goalkeeper to be there if I got beat and you’ve got to have that because you need to trust your teammates, and Vozinha will have that trust now more than ever for what he did against Spain.
“We always see some players get big moves after a World Cup but of course you are going to look at Vozinha and his age and think maybe it’s a little bit late for him? But I don’t think so. It’s never too late for anything. Age is just a number. If you can play like he did against Spain, that’s not luck. He can do a job somewhere. I’m sure a few clubs are taking a look at him now.
Though, the World Cup is still in the group stage, some countries have been tipped as favourites for the title.
Asked which countries are the favourites and which team he would love to see lift the trophy, he said: “I believe France are very strong and you’ve also got Argentina and Spain, who I still believe in despite their draw with Cabo Verde.
“I would love England to actually win it this summer because I live in the country and my family are all English and I’d love to join the celebration with them but let’s see.
“We’ve also got Portugal but something is missing there. The squad is unbelievable but there’s something a bit off about them as a team. Portugal are just not there.”
On how he came to be called Pele, he revealed:”Pele was just a nickname. All my friends at the time when we were younger, we each had a nickname and for me, it was just Pele, and I didn’t mind that.
“I don’t think it was because of my football. Yes, we did play a lot of football there but it’s just a name that stuck with me.
“When I reached a certain level in my career, it became a point of interest. I remember signing for Southampton and the club wanted me to wear the number 10 shirt. I said, I can’t. That’s a heavy shirt and I am not a striker. I’m a defender! I’m a centre back! It’s just the name Pele. Don’t expect similar things to what Pele did because Pele was the king. I was only borrowing his name.
“I don’t mind it. I remember the media in Southampton made a big thing about it too but I think as soon as they saw me play they all agreed he’s not the real Pelle. It’s all part of the fun!”
By James Agberebi
English (US) ·