"Cape Verde qualified for the FIFA 2026 World Cup on Monday, beating Eswatini 3-0 in their last group match to top the standings ahead of Cameroon and complete a fairytale campaign. The wind-swept West African archipelago overcame first-half nerves to win in the capital, Praia, with second-half goals from Dailon Livramento, Willy Semedo and veteran Stopira, and book a first-ever appearance at the finals."
"Livramento took advantage of Eswatini's failure to clear to steer home the ball from close range three minutes into the second half, while Semedo also had a tap-in for the second six minutes later. Stopira, 37, had only come on as a late substitute as an acknowledgement of his long service with the team since 2008, and put a cherry on the cake with a stoppage-time goal."
"They started two points ahead of Cameroon, whose eight previous World Cup final appearances are the most by an African country. Cape Verde finished Group D on 23 points, four ahead of Cameroon, who were held at home to a goalless draw by Angola. Cape Verde rarely played international football some 25 years ago, but now heads to next year's finals in North America as one of the nine African representatives."
Cape Verde qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after beating Eswatini 3-0 in Praia, finishing top of Group D with 23 points. Second-half goals from Dailon Livramento, Willy Semedo and veteran Stopira secured the victory and the island's first-ever appearance at the finals. Cape Verde began the final match two points ahead of Cameroon and finished four clear of the African heavyweight, who were held 0-0 by Angola. The 600,000-inhabitant archipelago had limited international play 25 years ago but now joins other African qualifiers including Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria and Ghana.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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