Cape Verde coach Bubista gifts Portuguese President Seguro a Vozinha World Cup jersey

President António José Seguro received an unexpected gift on Wednesday from Cape Verde's national football coach, Bubista: a jersey of goalkeeper Vozinha, one of the standout players for the Blue Sharks in the 2026 World Cup.

"I wasn't expecting this. Extraordinary, this is true 'morabeza'," the head of state said.

Meeting at Book Fair

The president of the Cape Verdean Football Federation (FCF), Mário Semedo, and Bubista met Seguro at the final point of Wednesday's agenda during the President of the Republic's state visit. The encounter took place at a book fair supported by Camões – Portuguese Cooperation, in Cidade Velha.

Upon spotting the coach—whose team drew with reigning champions Spain and narrowly lost to Argentina (3-2 in the round of 32)—Seguro called for applause: "You deserve a big round of applause."

Praise for the Blue Sharks

Already holding Vozinha's jersey, the President of the Republic recalled the Cape Verde national team's matches and compared the Blue Sharks' performance to "the purity of sport and the purity of football."

"It's an ability to bring together talents, play as a team, and believe in it. It's fabulous," he added.

The Secret to Success

A brief conversation with Bubista followed, in which the Portuguese president asked about the secret behind the "fine-tuning" of the team making its World Cup debut.

"It's the definition of our identity, we clearly showed what our people are, seeking to do everything with great unity," the coach replied.

According to him, "the secret is hard work, it's what defines the Cape Verdean people, always working to overcome difficulties," he concluded.

World Cup Success as a Theme

The success of Cape Verde's performance in the 2026 World Cup has been a recurring reference since the beginning of António José Seguro's visit. On Tuesday, he offered his counterpart, José Maria Neves, a special glass piece in the shape of a Blue Shark.

Final Day of Visit

The Portuguese president is on the last day of his visit to the archipelago today, traveling from Santiago to the island of Boa Vista. There, he will participate in the opening session of the V International Conference on the Ocean Decade, under the motto "Blue Economy: Sustainable Paths."

On Boa Vista, the program also includes:

• Visits to the town hall, where Seguro will receive the keys to the city of Sal Rei
• The Morro de Areia Nature Reserve
• The local arts and culture center

António José Seguro and José Maria Neves will give a joint press conference before returning to the city of Praia, on the island of Santiago.

In the capital, the President of the Republic will visit:

• The Hemodialysis Center of the Agostinho Neto Hospital, the country's main health unit, which has benefited from Portuguese support
• Techpark, the technology park of Praia

Seguro ends his visit to Cape Verde with a reception for the Portuguese community at the Portuguese School of the city of Praia.