Thousands of ecstatic fans in Cape Verde celebrated the national football team's return after a historic and heroic run in the World Cup. The Blue Sharks, as the team is affectionately known, were escorted through the streets of Praia in a celebratory parade following their narrow defeat to Argentina in one of the tournament's most surprising matches.
A Nation United in Celebration
The parade route, which began at the airport, wound through the capital's main districts. Throngs of supporters played music and cheered, making forward movement difficult at times. The Sharks' journey culminated with a visit to Cape Verde's presidential palace, where President Jose Maria Neves declared, 'Argentina won, but Cape Verde triumphed.'
A Historic First for Cape Verde
This World Cup marked Cape Verde's first-ever progression to the knockout stages, thrilling supporters back home and gaining fans abroad as they confounded expectations. In an epic last-32 contest in Miami, Cape Verde pushed Argentina to the brink but the reigning world champions snatched a 3-2 win in extra time.
Independence Day Heroes
The team's arrival back home coincided with Independence Day in Cape Verde, a nation of just 500,000 people which was liberated from Portugal in 1975 after being ruled by the country for some 500 years. Fan Edmilson Correia, 28, told AFP at the airport, 'After the heroes who fought for our independence, we now have these heroes -- the Blue Sharks.'
A Nation Inspired
Ahead of the parade, goalkeeper Vozinha told reporters that he believed his team had 'achieved something magnificent' even if he had not yet 'fully grasped the magnitude of what we've just accomplished.' Cape Verde head coach Bubista told the press upon landing back in Praia that 'we demonstrated that our World Cup qualification wasn't down to luck. We showed hard work and resilience, and we left the United States with our heads held high.'
Looking to the Future
The Blue Sharks had to cancel a stop on the parade route at the National Assembly due to the enthusiastic crowd, and will instead visit the legislature on Monday. The parade ended at Kebra Kanela beach, the city's main seaside area, where thousands more fans celebrated the team with prolonged applause and drums. Cape Verdean Football Federation president Mario Semedo said their performance had raised the bar, adding, 'The challenges will certainly be greater, but I think we will all be motivated and up to the task.'
