In a result that sent shockwaves through African football, the tiny archipelago nation of Cape Verde produced a magnificent performance to defeat continental heavyweights Cameroon 3-1 in their World Cup 2026 qualifying clash.
Island Nation Defies the Odds
The Blue Sharks of Cape Verde, representing a nation with a population smaller than most European cities, displayed tremendous character and quality against the five-time Africa Cup of Nations champions. The victory marks a dream start to their Group D campaign and puts them in a commanding position early in the qualification race.
Dramatic Late Winner Seals Historic Victory
After taking an early lead through captain Ryan Mendes' clinical penalty, Cape Verde found themselves pegged back when Cameroon's Bryan Mbeumo converted a spot-kick of his own. Just as the match seemed destined for a draw, substitute Jovane Cabral emerged as the hero with a spectacular 90th-minute winner.
The drama didn't end there, as Kevin Pina added a third deep into stoppage time to complete a famous victory that had the home supporters in Praia celebrating long into the night.
Controversy Mars Cameroon's Performance
The Indomitable Lions' night went from bad to worse when captain André-Frank Zambo Anguissa received a straight red card in the dying moments, compounding the misery for Rigobert Song's side. The sending-off capped a frustrating evening for the visitors, who struggled to match Cape Verde's intensity and organisation.
Group D Takes Surprising Shape
This stunning result completely reshapes the landscape of Group D, with Cape Verde now sitting pretty at the top of the table following their 2-1 victory over Eswatini in their opening match. Meanwhile, Cameroon faces an uphill battle to qualify after dropping crucial points against one of the group's perceived underdogs.
The performance demonstrates Cape Verde's growing reputation as African football's ultimate overachievers, capable of competing with and defeating the continent's traditional powerhouses on their day.
