Cape Verde Islands beat Mozambique to win group and reach Afcon next stage

19 January 2024 - 18:55 By Reuters
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Kevin Lenini Gonçalves Pereira De Pina of Cape Verde celebrates goal with teammates during the Africa Cup of Nations clash against Mozambique held at Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Abidjan.
Kevin Lenini Gonçalves Pereira De Pina of Cape Verde celebrates goal with teammates during the Africa Cup of Nations clash against Mozambique held at Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Abidjan.
Image: Weam Mostafa/BackpagePix

The Cape Verde Islands, the smallest country competing at the Africa Cup of Nations finals, became the first to book their place in the next stage of the competition as they beat Mozambique 3-0 on Friday.

It was their second victory in Group B after a giant-killing 2-1 triumph over Ghana on Sunday and guarantees them top place and a spot in the last-16.

Former Manchester United forward Bebe fired home a free kick from some 35 metres out in the 32nd minute with captain Ryan Mendes scoring their second soon after the break at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium. Another long-range shot, this time from Kevin Pina, made it 3-0 in the 69th minute.

After two rounds of group matches at the tournament in the Ivory Coast, Cape Verde sit on six points, out of the reach of Egypt on two and Ghana and Mozambique on one each.


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