‘Everyone is talking about Cape Verde’: World Cup run delights diaspora community in UK | Cape Verde

Lauryn, 13, was having trouble finding a map that included, as far as she could remember, the Cape Verde Islands. Now, he’s delighted that the tiny African island nation is finally taking center stage.

“Seeing our country showcased around the world at the World Cup makes me incredibly proud,” says Lauryn. “After the first match, everyone was talking about Cape Verde. People saw the talent and skill of our players.”

Cape Verde, or Cabo Verde as it is known by the UK diaspora community, is enjoying a historic run at its first World Cup. The 10-island African country defied expectations by maintaining its superiority against the tournament’s leading teams.

Located in the Atlantic Ocean, about 370 miles (600km) off the coast of mainland Africa, and with a population of just over 500,000, it is one of the smallest countries to compete in the tournament.

Lauryn, who has published her first book, Lauryn This Is Me: The Journey of a Strong African Girl, says she was scrolling through social media before Cape Verde’s opening match against Spain. “There were a lot of posts on social media saying Cape Verde only had a 1% chance of winning. But everything changed after everyone saw the performance of our goalkeeper.”

This 1 per cent estimate has since become a cry for the Cape Verdean diaspora in Britain, whose numbers are estimated to number in the low thousands. “Our motto in the Cape Verdean community has been: ‘They gave us a 1% chance, but we had 99% confidence,’” says Lauryn.

The team stunned Spain, drawing 0-0. Cape Verdean Association UK’s Annabella Lopes says their next match against Uruguay felt like a “constant heart attack”. The match ended 2-2.

Now, the team that has quickly become fans’ favorite underdogs will face Saudi Arabia in their final group stage match, kicking off at 9pm ET on Friday in Houston, Texas, or 1am ET on Saturday for Lauryn and those watching in the UK. A win would give them a historic place in the knockouts, while a draw would give them a chance to become one of the eight best third-placed teams.

Lauryn’s younger sister Joylen, 10, who plays football at Chelsea’s academy, says watching the tournament has strengthened her belief in the team. “I definitely think we can go very far. I knew people shouldn’t underestimate us because if we can draw against Spain and Uruguay, imagine what we can do against other teams.”

It also inspired his own ambition. “It makes me want to reach my highest level,” he says.

According to Lopes, the team’s performance sends a strong message to the Cape Verdean diaspora community worldwide as well as those from smaller countries. “Success achieved on the field reflects the resilience and strength of our people,” he says. “Just because you are small and people don’t know you doesn’t mean you can’t achieve big things.”

He adds that it’s not about winning or losing. “The important thing is to participate. Cape Verde participates, Cape Verde competes, Cape Verde succeeds and Cape Verde makes history.”

Much of the admiration has focused on veteran goalkeeper Vozinha, whose Instagram page has grown from hundreds of thousands of followers to almost 10 million over the course of two games.

NHS physiotherapist Nancy Rodrigues, 38, who lives in England, says she treated the goalkeeper “really well” when she lived in Angola. “It definitely deserves all the attention it’s getting right now,” he says. “It’s great because everyone knows Cape Verde through it. It’s an incredible feeling.”

Elisangela, a 36-year-old accountant known as Ely, says the team’s success has excited the worldwide diaspora community. “We’ve never experienced a moment like this before. Everyone is excited. People are calling each other, checking in, asking how they’re feeling, how they’re experiencing this moment with their families and friends.”

Lauryn and Joylen’s mother, Cristina, hopes the team’s success will spark interest in the country far beyond football. “We are creative people. There is a lot of talent, not only in football, but also in music, literature and art.”

He says he is particularly proud of the team’s values ​​and resilience on the world stage, noting Cape Verde’s manager Bubista’s tradition of giving a gift to the opposing team’s coach before the start of each match.

“It’s part of who we are. We come to the field as warriors, but we honor and respect each other,” he says. “I think that’s what people see. They don’t see arrogance. They see humility, unity, and men crying because they care so much. It’s beautiful.”