AFCON 2023: Cape Verde defeats Mozambique 3–0 to advance to the next round.
At the Africa Cup of Nations on Friday, Cape Verde defeated Mozambique 3-0 thanks to a long-range free kick from former Manchester United forward Bebe. The Atlantic Ocean island nation advanced to the round of 16 as the first team.
Just after the half-hour mark, Bebe opened the score in front of 5,794 spectators at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Abidjan with a dead-ball strike from 40 meters.
Just after the break, captain Ryan Mendes extended their lead, and halfway through the second half, Kevin Pina scored an incredible goal to seal the victory.
With their opening-round 2-1 victory over Ghana, Cape Verde’s biggest-ever AFCON triumph puts them on six points and guarantees them a top-three finish in Group B.
They play Egypt on Monday, who have two points and, should they win, will secure both second place and a spot in the round of sixteen.
Despite being in their fifth Cup of Nations, Mozambique has lost every game they have played in throughout its 14-year history.
But since both teams are tied at one point apiece, they still have a chance to qualify when they play Ghana next.
Before opening the score with another dead-ball strike from much further out in the 32nd minute, Bebe hammered one free-kick against the bar and over. This time, Ernan, the Mozambican goalie, was no match for Bebe’s tremendous effort.
The 33-year-old, who was born in Portugal and participated in his first AFCON, is currently in the Spanish La Liga with Rayo Vallecano, although he is best known for his miserable 2010–11 season at Old Trafford, during which he made just seven appearances.
Five minutes before halftime, Geny Catamo went down in the area in a tangle of legs with Joao Paulo Fernandes, giving Mozambique the impression that they had a penalty. However, the Moroccan referee reversed the decision following a VAR assessment.
On minute 51, Mendes, of the Turkish club Fatih Karagumruk, doubled the score by taking Edmilson Dove’s (the Mozambican defender) ball just outside the area and shooting past the goalkeeper.
Mozambique’s Catamo subsequently missed the crossbar with a free kick, and on minute 69, midfielder Pina’s incredible effort into the top corner from about 30 meters away gave Cape Verde another goal.
The Blue Sharks, who are sure to win the group, already know they will stay in Abidjan for a last-16 match on January 29 against a club in third place.
