Cape Verde prepares for historic 2026 World Cup debut against Spain, relying on diaspora talent
via SeneNews7 min read
Cape Verde is set to make its historic debut at the 2026 World Cup, facing Spain in its first match on June 15. The team, known as the Blue Sharks, is led by coach Pedro Leitao Brito, also known as "Bubista," who previously captained the team from 1991 to 2005. Bubista became the national coach in 2020 and led the team to the quarterfinals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, a feat previously achieved in 2013. Their qualification for the World Cup marks a significant milestone for the island nation, which has a population of 525,000 and an area of 4,033 km2. The Cape Verdean Football Federation was established in 1982, seven years after gaining independence from Portugal, and the national team first participated in the Africa Cup of Nations in 2013. The team's success is partly attributed to its diaspora, with many players born abroad to Cape Verdean families who immigrated to various European countries. While key players like goalkeeper Vozinha and captain Ryan Mendes were born in Cape Verde, others like full-back Steven Moreira and central defender Logan Costa were born in France. Costa, who plays for Villarreal, is the only player on the 26-man World Cup squad to play in one of Europe's top five leagues. Cape Verde is in a challenging Group H, alongside favorites Spain, Uruguay, and Saudi Arabia. Bubista humorously noted that his wish to face the best teams was granted. The team will need to secure results away from home, as they have previously defeated strong nations like
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by SeneNews.
Djireye Clotilde Coly has been appointed Minister of Youth and Sports in Senegal's new government, under the authority of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, on June 1, 2026. A trained accountant, she takes over a strategic department just months before the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, whose preparations are entering a decisive phase. Coly replaces Khady Diène Gaye, who had been in the position since April 2024. Before her appointment in the first government of the new Prime Minister Al Aminou Lô, she served as Director of Employment within Senegal's Ministry of Employment and Vocational Training. Her appointment comes as the World Cup begins in ten days, and the Youth Olympic Games, scheduled for October 31 to November 13, 2026, in Dakar, are a major topic of discussion.
Professor Moustapha Kassé, a distinguished economist and research professor, has passed away, leaving a significant intellectual legacy in African higher education. He dedicated nearly fifty years to training, research, and the development of university institutions across the continent. Professor Kassé was one of the first agrégés in economic sciences from CAMES. Throughout his career, he held several prominent positions, including director of CREA, dean of the Faculty of Economics and Management at Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar, and president of the Conference of Teaching and Research Institutions in Africa CIRA. He was also a founding member of the Interuniversity Postgraduate Program PTCI, where he served as chairman of the board for many years. A key figure in economic sciences, Professor Kassé mentored generations of students and researchers, supervising numerous master's theses and doctoral dissertations at UCAD and other African and international universities. He was a member of prestigious institutions such as the Hassan II Academy of Morocco, the Academy of Sciences and Techniques of Senegal, and the Chilafri association. His work, publications, and influence in economic debates established him as one of the most prolific and respected economists of his generation. His passing is a great loss for UCAD, the Senegalese university community, and the entire African academic world.
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