PRAIA — Cape Verde has held a fund-raising campaign to help cover costs for the national team’s participation in the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).
Report by MTN Football
The cost of travelling to South Africa for the finals in January 2013 is a burden on Cape Verde’s national budget.
“We are getting some assistance from the government, but we are really counting on the support of all Cape Verdeans,” said Mario Semedo, president of the Cape Verde Football Association (FA).
He declined to name any figures, but said the journey couldn’t be financed with government funds alone. That’s why the association has started a funding campaign “Operation Africa Cup” (Operacao CAN 2013), the highlight of which was a benefit concert in the capital Praia.
The country’s postal service has also chipped in, bringing out a set of commemorative stamps. Ten percent of the sales will go towards financing the team’s trip to South Africa.
Meanwhile, Cape Verde FA president Mario Semedo says the Blue Sharks have no reason to fear their Afcon Group A opponents.
The Islanders, who will make their debut in the tournament, have been drawn with hosts South Africa as well as Angola and Morocco in the first round.
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Semedo insists that his national team, which eliminated West African giants Cameroon from the final phase of qualifying, should be able to hold their own. “These are teams we know well,” said Semedo of Bafana Bafana, Angola and Morocco.
“A team that can knock out Cameroon at the qualifying stage, can face every other opponent in Africa with a certain measure of self-confidence,” he added.
