CAPE CRUSADERS

Cape Verde became the second smallest country ever to qualify for the World Cup, thanks to their victory over Eswatini - FFT flew to the island nation to witness it first hand and find out how they've made history

- Words Mark Lomas Pictures Edy Garcia

Down the tunnel of Praia's Estadio Nacional, Dailon Livramento is sitting on the concrete floor with his back against the wall, scrolling through his phone. He has a flag tied tightly around his head like a bandana and a bandage wrapped around his leg. He is physically spent, but his eyes are still bright. Cape Verde have just qualified for the World Cup for the first time ever.

A 3-0 home win over Eswatini in the decisive final qualifying game has sealed a historic place at the tournament for the Tubaroes Azuis (Blue Sharks), and was met by euphoric celebrations on Cape Verde's nine inhabited islands. The Atlantic archipelago - which sits off the west coast of Africa, with a population of just over half a million - have become the second smallest nation, after only Iceland, to ever reach the World Cup.

It was the culmination of a campaign built on teamwork, defensive resilience and a side that has seamlessly blended homegrown players with talent drawn from the global Cape Verdean diaspora.

Livramento is one such talent. Born in Rotterdam, and currently on loan at Portuguese side Casa Pia from Hellas Verona in Italy, his international debut only came in March 2024, but he has emerged as an all-action No.9 capable of finding the net when the stakes are high. In World Cup qualification, he scored a match-winning brace away to Angola and the only goal of a vital 1-0 victory over Cameroon in September.

Against Eswatini, with Cape Verde knowing that a win would secure their qualification and the scoreline locked at 0-0 after a nervy first-half, it was Livramento who pounced in the 48th minute. His celebration was pure joy - diving into the stands and the arms of the fans who have come to adore him.