August 20 – Humberto Bettencourt has been named the new manager of Cape Verde following the departure of Bubista.  

Bettencourt served as Bubista’s assistant during the recent World Cup. The 51-year-old has been promoted. The federation did not disclose the terms of the contract. Bubista – full name Pedro Leitão Brito – has moved to Moroccan club RS Berkane.  

In 2020, he took charge of the Blue Sharks and led the island nation to their first-ever World Cup. They progressed from a group that included Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia before falling to eventual finalists Argentina 3-2 in a dramatic round of 32 clash in Miami.  

They were the only team to not concede against Spain. FIFA held up Cape Verde as an example of how the world federation is developing football around the world.  

Bettencourt’s first mission will be to lead out Cape Verde in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers during the next international window. 

Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, at [email protected]