Cape Verde boss Bubista bidding to guide Blue Sharks into uncharted waters

Cape Verde head coach Bubista has challenged his side to keep believing as they bid to reach the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations when they face South Africa in Yamoussoukro.

The small island nation, ranked 73rd in the FIFA standings, topped their group, beating Ghana and then fighting back to snatch a dramatic 2-2 draw with Egypt before a 1-0 win over Mauritania put them into the last eight.

The Blue Sharks are aiming to reach uncharted waters by making the semi-finals of the tournament for the first time.

As imagens do jogo que qualificou Cabo Verde para quartos de final do CAN. Cabo Verde 1-0 Mauritania

Vista-se a rigor aqui https://t.co/TFHN0XzslP#CaboVerde | #TubarõesAzuis | #AFCON2023 | #CAN2023 | #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 | pic.twitter.com/5ORFBc6ez6

— Federação Cabo-verdiana de Futebol (@fcfcomunica) January 30, 2024

Bubista feels there is still more to come from his side.

“We have our objective, which from day one has been to get to the semi-finals,” said the Cape Verde head coach, whose full name is Pedro Brito.

“We are one step away from that now and we are going to keep going, while obviously staying humble and respecting our opponents.”

Bubista told reporters: “But we believe – that is our focus and we are going to try and get there.”

FULL-TIME!

South Africa snatch the win from Morocco! #MARRSA | #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 pic.twitter.com/0QqsGfpFVH

— CAF (@CAF_Online) January 30, 2024

South Africa produced one of the major upsets in the tournament with a 2-0 win over World Cup semi-finalists Morocco in the last round.

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos, though, will not allow any sense of complacency in the camp.

“Our win over Morocco is history,” said Broos, who guided Cameroon to the AFCON title in 2017.

About yesterday… over joyed does not even begin to describe how we feel… #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 #AFCON2023 #BafanaPride pic.twitter.com/JfBOR050VL

— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) January 31, 2024

“Cape Verde are as determined as us to reach the semi-finals and we dare not underrate them.”

Broos told reporters: “At the beginning, it was very important that we grow in the tournament and I think South Africa grew in the tournament.

“We just hope that what we are telling the players is the right thing – and up until now it has been the right thing.”