<div class="wp-block-wptelegram-widget-join-channel aligncenter">
	<a href="https://t.me/nairavoice" class="components-button join-link is-large has-text has-icon" target="_self" rel="noopener noreferrer">
		<svg width="19px" height="16px" viewBox="0 0 19 16" role="img" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false">
			<g>
				<path d="M0.465,6.638 L17.511,0.073 C18.078,-0.145 18.714,0.137 18.932,0.704 C19.009,0.903 19.026,1.121 18.981,1.33 L16.042,15.001 C15.896,15.679 15.228,16.111 14.549,15.965 C14.375,15.928 14.211,15.854 14.068,15.748 L8.223,11.443 C7.874,11.185 7.799,10.694 8.057,10.345 C8.082,10.311 8.109,10.279 8.139,10.249 L14.191,4.322 C14.315,4.201 14.317,4.002 14.195,3.878 C14.091,3.771 13.926,3.753 13.8,3.834 L5.602,9.138 C5.112,9.456 4.502,9.528 3.952,9.333 L0.486,8.112 C0.077,7.967 -0.138,7.519 0.007,7.11 C0.083,6.893 0.25,6.721 0.465,6.638 Z" ></path>
			</g>
		</svg>
		Join Nairavoice On Telegram	</a>
</div>
<figure><img src="https://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/teams/cape-verde/" />Cape Verde</a> coach Bubista is relishing the challenge of facing <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/teams/spain/">Spain</a><img src="https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/hGM0kUtGntpvIKRhCqvuMQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYzOTtjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/afp.com/1a94ac9c9b11a08a0b53d86a84514c54" /></figure>
<p>Facing the might of Spain is a &#8220;dream come true&#8221; said Cape Verde coach Bubista as the African island nation prepares for its World Cup debut on Monday.</p>
<p>Blessed with what Spain boss Luis de la Fuente boasted on Saturday is the &#8220;best squad in the tournament&#8221; in his opinion, the European champions are among the favourites to win the competition for a second time.</p>
<p>By contrast, Cape Verde are on the global stage for the first time, but are determined to &#8220;not just make up the numbers&#8221; after shocking Cameroon in qualifying to earn their place in the United States.</p>
<p>&#8220;We&#8217;ve been discussing how much we want to enjoy the match and the World Cup,&#8221; Bubista told a press conference.</p>
<p>&#8220;It is an amazing opportunity to show our country to the world. We are very much happy to face Spain in the opener, this is a dream coming true.&#8221;</p>
<p>Cape Verde were one of 13 football federations to hit out at UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin on Sunday over remarks that an expanded tournament would lead to &#8220;completely uninteresting&#8221; matches.</p>
<p>In remarks by Ceferin reportedly made before the tournament to Slovenian newspaper Delo, the UEFA chief said the expansion of the World Cup to 48 teams this year &#8212; up from 32 in 2022 &#8212; would dilute the quality of the competition.</p>
<p>&#8220;We are happy to be here, I believe it is an opportunity for teams from smaller countries to have a chance to participate and play and compete, so to us we are proud of being here,&#8221; Bubista told AFP.</p>
<p>&#8220;Our flag will be flying, that is the most important thing, among the best football nations in the world.</p>
<p>&#8220;There is no greater joy than that because we are a small country and we will do our very best so that every Cabo Verdian may feel proud of our participation.&#8221;</p>
<p>Spanish superstar <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/players/3966436/">Lamine Yamal</a> is set to only make his World Cup debut from the bench as he is eased back into action from a hamstring injury.</p>
<p>The <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/teams/barcelona/">Barcelona</a> winger lit up Euro 2024 as La Roja romped to success in <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/teams/germany/">Germany</a> and is hoping to make similar impact on the World Cup at just 18 years of age.</p>
<p>&#8220;If it is the World Cup of Lamine I don&#8217;t know. There are many great players from many different countries,&#8221; said Cape Verde captain <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/players/374059/">Ryan Mendes</a>.</p>
<p>&#8220;We are up against one of the best teams in the world, we can just hope it is our day and get the best result possible.&#8221;</p>

Discover more from NAIRAVOICE.COM.NG
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
