Cape Verde announce final Afcon squad snubbing local-based outfield players
Cape Verde have announced their 26-man squad for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cameroon next month with no home-based outfield player.
Majority foreign legions are based on the African continent and Europe with midfielder Jamiro Monteior the only player based in USA for Philadelphia Union.
Cape Verde’s star players include Olympiakos’ Garry Rodrigues, Trabzonspor striker Djaniny Semedo and AS Far defender Diney Borges.
The Islanders are in a tough Group F alongside hosts Cameroon, Burkina Faso and Ethiopia. They open their campaign against Ethiopia at the Olembe Stadium in Yaoundé.
Full squad
Goalkeepers: Vozinha (AEL Limassol, Cyprus), Marcio da Rosa (Montalegre, Portugal), Keven Ramos (Mindelese, Cape Verde).
Defenders: Stopira (Fehervar, Hungary), Steven Fortes (Oostende, Belgium), Jeffry Fortes (De Graafschap, Netherlands), Steve Furtado (Beroe, Bulgaria), Roberto Lopes (Shamrock Rovers, Republic of Ireland), Joao Paulo Fernandes (Feirense, Portugal), Diney Borges (AS Far, Morocco), Ponck (Istanbul Basaksehir, Turkey), Dylan Tavares (Neuchatel Xamax, Switzerland).
Midfielders: Kenny Rocha (Oostende, Belgium), Nuno Borges (Casa Pia, Portugal), Patrick Andrade (Qarabag, Azerbaijan), Jamiro Monteior (Philadelphia Union, USA), Nenass (Aalesund, Norway), Marco Soares (Arouca, Portugal).
Forwards: Ryan Mendes (Al Nasr, UAE), Willy Semedo (Pafos, Cyprus), Gilson Tavares (Estoril-Praia, Portugal), Willis Furtado (FK Jerv, Norway), Julio Tavares (Al Faisaly, Saudi Arabia), Garry Rodrigues (Olympiakos, Greece), Lisandro Semedo (Fortuna Sittard, Netherlands), Djaniny Semedo (Trabzonspor, Turkey).
