AFCON 2023: Cape Verde Receives Warm Welcome in Praia After Elimination by South Africa

• Hundreds of fans came out in Praia to welcome the Cape Verde team
• Cape Verde reached the quarter-finals of AFCON 2023 in Ivory Coast
• The island nation won Group B against heavyweights Ghana and Egypt

The Cape Verde national team were lovely received by hundreds of supporters on their arrival back home following the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Blue Sharks fell short at the quarter-final stage after heroically taking South Africa all the way to penalty shoot-outs on February 3.

Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Ronwen Williams was in unbelievable shape that day, saving four spot-kicks to win the game for the Rainbow Nation.

Cape Verde were looking to make history by qualifying for their first-ever semi-finals. They have only participated in the AFCON four times, with the 2013 quarter-final finish their best before the 2023 tournament.

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In Ivory Coast, the Bubista-coached team stunned Ghana in their opening game to win 2-1 before beating Mozambique 3-0. They wrapped up their group stage campaign by holding record winners, Egypt, to a two-all draw.

In the round of 16, the Blue Sharka came up against Mauritania. A late penalty from captain Ryan Mendes saw them through to face South Africa in the quarter-finals.

The South African test unluckily went against them, with Williams making a decent stop in normal time before stepping up even further in the shoot-outs.

Cape Verde welcoming party

The players were seen off by fans leaving in Ivory Coast before another welcoming party received them in their capital Praia.

Women and children came out in their numbers when the team landed. In the video, they were serenaded by songs as they mingled with the fans at a concert.

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Here is a video of how they were welcomed

Bubista will now look to pick up his boys from the disappointment, with their next competitive fixture coming in June when they face Cameroon in the race to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

Guinea team received heroic welcome

Sports Brief has also reported that the Guinea team was welcomed with pomp and colour in Conakry after their AFCON 2023 campaign.

The Syli National were beaten by DR Congo in the quarter-finals after previously beating Equatorial Guinea in the round of 16.