by SAVIOUS KWINIKA
JOHANNESBURG, (CAJ News) – IF ever proof was needed that dynamite comes in small packages, Cape Verde’s Blue Sharks are providing it in emphatic fashion.
The tiny Atlantic island nation, with a population of just over half a million, has once again shown that size counts for little in international football.
This week, Cape Verde stunned the continent by defeating African giants Cameroon 1–0 in Praia, before travelling thousands of kilometres to the Indian Ocean to beat Mauritius 2–0 away from home.
The back-to-back victories have propelled the Blue Sharks to the summit of Group D in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
They now lead the six-team group with 19 points from eight matches, ahead of Cameroon (15) and Libya (14).
Angola, Mauritius and Eswatini complete the group standings. With just one more win, Cape Verde could secure automatic qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States — a historic milestone for the island nation.
A Rising Force in African Football
Cape Verde’s success is not a fluke. Over the past decade, the Blue Sharks have developed a reputation as giant-killers in African football.
They made their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) debut in 2013 and immediately impressed, reaching the quarter-finals.
Since then, they have consistently competed at continental tournaments, relying on a disciplined defensive setup and quick counterattacking football.
Despite their small player pool, Cape Verde has benefited from a large diaspora, particularly in Portugal, the Netherlands and France, where many of their internationals ply their trade.
This global reach has provided them with a blend of European experience and African resilience — a combination that continues to trouble bigger teams.
Challenging the Powerhouses
For decades, African football was dominated by a handful of traditional powerhouses — Nigeria, Cameroon, Ghana, Egypt, Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire, Morocco, Algeria, and South Africa.
Smaller nations often struggled to compete due to limited infrastructure and resources, but Cape Verde’s rise signals a shift in the balance of power.
Indeed, Cameroon, with five FIFA World Cup appearances and an AFCON title as recently as 2017, were expected to dominate the group. Instead, they have been humbled by a nation less than a tenth their size.
The Wider Picture
Elsewhere on the continent, other surprise results underlined the growing competitiveness of African football.
Benin hammered Lesotho 4–0, South Africa were held to a thrilling 1–1 draw by Nigeria, while Senegal edged the Democratic Republic of Congo 3–2 in Kinshasa.
In Nairobi, Kenya delighted home fans with a resounding 5–0 win over Seychelles, while Zimbabwe’s qualification hopes took a blow with a narrow 0–1 defeat to Rwanda.
A Dream Within Reach
For Cape Verde, the dream of appearing at the FIFA World Cup is closer than ever.
One more victory will seal their ticket to North America in 2026. Should they qualify, it will mark the first time the island nation participates in football’s biggest stage — a remarkable achievement for a country once overlooked in continental football.
As their campaign gathers momentum, the Blue Sharks are proving that passion, preparation and persistence can make even the smallest nation a true contender.
Full Results – African World Cup Qualifiers:
Benin 4 – 0 Lesotho
Mauritania 0 – 0 South Sudan
Gambia 2 – 0 Burundi
Gabon 0 – 0 Cote d’Ivoire
Angola 3 – 1 Mauritius
Togo 1 – 0 Sudan
South Africa 1 – 1 Nigeria
DR Congo 2 – 3 Senegal
Cape Verde 1 – 0 Cameroon
Burkina Faso 0 – 0 Egypt
Zimbabwe 0 – 1 Rwanda
Tanzania 0 – 1 Niger
Sierra Leone 2 – 0 Ethiopia
Namibia 3 – 0 Sao Tome and Principe
Kenya 5 – 0 Seychelles
– CAJ News