""Giving this happiness to these people is enormous," said head coach Bubista. "It's a special moment in this celebration of the 50th anniversary of our independence.""
""Honestly, I've played in Europe, I've won in MLS, but when you play for your country it's something different," said defender Steven Moreira, who was born in France and plays for Columbus Crew in the USA. "I can't describe it - the passion they give you is just amazing. "This group is a family. You can see it when we score goals, we're always together, dancing.""
""There's an overwhelming sense of relief, there's joy, all emotions. But we did it and no one can take that away from us.""
Stopira's 91st-minute goal completed a 3-0 victory over Eswatini that secured Cape Verde's first-ever FIFA World Cup qualification for the 2026 tournament in Canada, Mexico and the United States. Fans and players celebrated for hours inside Praia's National Stadium, draped in flags and wearing commemorative shirts. The milestone coincides with the country's 50th independence anniversary and prompted emotional scenes, including embraces and tears. Diaspora-born players described intense national passion, a strong sense of squad unity and relief and joy at delivering a historic achievement for the island nation.
Read at www.bbc.com
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