“Cape Verde or Cabo Verde, officially the Republic of Cabo Verde, is an archipelagic country in the central Atlantic Ocean off the coast of West Africa. It consists of ten volcanic islands with a combined land area of about 4,033 square kilometres (1,557 sq mi). These islands lie between 600 and 850 kilometres (370 and 530 miles) west of Cap-Vert, the westernmost point of continental Africa, after which they are named. Cape Verde forms part of the Macaronesia ecoregion, along with the Azores, the Canary Islands, Madeira and the Savage Isles.”
In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries due to its location it was a major port for the slave trade. After slavery was banned in Europe and the USA it played a role in shipping of various products. It fell on difficult times but remained under Portuguese control until 1975 and since 1990 it has been a stable democracy.
Lacking natural resources, its developing economy is mostly service-oriented, with a growing focus on tourism and foreign investment. With a population of around 491,233 Cape Verde is among the least populous countries in Africa. The Cape Verdean people trace their ancestry primarily to West African populations, with additional contributions from early Portuguese settlers and other groups who came to the islands during the Atlantic era.
Cape Verde is a stable semi-presidentialrepresentative democratic republic. In 2020 it was the most democratic nation in Africa, ranking 2023 as 45th in the world, according to the electoral democracy score of the V-Dem Democracy indices.[
The national flag of Cape Verde(bandeira nacional de Cabo Verde) was adopted on 22 September 1992, replacing the flag adopted during independence. The flag of Cape Verde has five unequal horizontal bands of blue, white, and red, with a circle of ten five-pointed yellow stars, all of which point upwards. The circle of stars is centered on the red band and is positioned towards the left side of the flag. The topmost blue stripe is half the height of the overall flag. Each of the three stripes of white and red are one twelfth of the total height, and the bottom blue stripe occupies a quarter of the flag.
Now to the important stuff: Football
FIFA the “Fédération Internationale de Football Association”, is who ‘controls’ the world wide competition known as The World Cup. After qualifying matches they announce who will compete for the most coveted trophy in the world: The World Cup.
In a wonderful sports story, Cape Verde, the smallest country ever to compete will be in the mix for the World Cup.
They earned it playing fantastic football throughout their year winning the Confederation of African Football league to be named to the tournament.
Under Coach Pedro Leitao Brita, known as ‘Bubista’ Cape Verde will take the pitch on June 15 against The European Champions Spain in Atlanta.
It is certainly a ‘Cinderella’ story, but wouldn’t it be fun… Let’s go ‘Blue Sharks!’
Diolch am eich cefnogaeth (Welsh)
Thanks for your support!
The entire Cape Verde team:
Goalkeepers:Carlos dos Santos (San Diego), Marcio Rosa (Montana 1921), Vozinha (Chaves).
Defenders: Sidny Cabral (Benfica), Diney Borges (Al Bataeh), Logan Costa (Villarreal), Roberto Lopes (Shamrock Rovers), Steven Moreira (Columbus Crew), Wagner Pina (Trabzonspor), Kelvin Pires (SJK Seinajoki), Stopira (Torreense).
Midfielders: Telmo Arcanjo (Vitoria Guimaraes), Deroy Duarte (Ludogorets), Laros Duarte (Puskas Akademia), Joao Paulo Fernandes (Otelul Galati), Jamiro Monteiro (PEC Zwolle), Kevin Pina (FK Krasnodar), Yannick Semedo (Farense).
Forwards: Gilson Benchimol (Akron Tolyatti), Jovane Cabral (Estrela da Amadora), Dailon Livramento (Casa Pia), Ryan Mendes (Igdir), Nuno da Costa (Istanbul Basaksehir), Garry Rodrigues (Apollon Limassol), Willy Semedo (Omonia Nicosia), Helio Varela (Maccabi Tel Aviv).
deliriouslove1970. The life & times of Gary and Denise Flanders. (Free and worth every penny. If you would like to compliment the editor, send to garytheflan@deliriouslove1970.com. If you would like to complain, call your mother.) 
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