Weekly Roundup | 11/17/2025
A weekly roundup of all things football in Cabo Verde
A shorter update this week regional leagues and competitions continue and the Men’s national team looks to hone their World Cup performance by facing other countries already qualified for next summer’s tournament.
Men’s National Team
The men’s national team took part in the Al Ain Tournament, a friendly tournament between four teams that have already qualified for next year’s World Cup and held in the UAE. Cabo Verde played Iran and while the game ended scoreless, Iran triumphed via penalties. Uzbekistan wound up defeating Egypt meaning that Cabo Verde and Egypt would play for third place.
That game was played on Monday and ended 1-1 after regulation with Garry Rodrigues scoring first for the Blue Sharks in the 7’ and Omar Marmoush equalizing in the 57’. The game ended and headed to penalties with Cabo Verde once again losing via the shootout. You can see highlights below.
Boa Vista
Lots of movement in the opening tournament table in Week 4 as Baixo took over the top of the table. Last year’s league champion, Sal-Rei, continues to be in consistent and is hovering at mid-table. Sanjoanense is still without a point.
Fogo
Week 3 didn’t see a lot of change in the table with the exception of Cutelinho and Baxada switching places.
Sal
Both the 1st and 2nd divisions in Sal played round 2 this past weekend. Palmeira, last year’s champion, remains in first thanks to more goals scored than Académico do Aeroporto do Sal who move three points above Académica do Sal.
Only one club is promoted from the 2nd division with that spot currently occupied by Fonte Riba. There’s still a long way to go for the team that finished fifth in the 2nd division last year.
Santiago Norte
Newly promoted AJAC will look to continue their run as they occupy second position behind last year’s champion, Scorpion Vermelho (translation: Red Scorpion).
It looks as though six teams will compete in the 2nd division though a start date hasn’t been set. Last year’s relegated teams, Beira Mar and Portas Abertas, will be looking to make the jump back up to the first division.
Santiago Sul
The big game in Santiago Sul this weekend was between Boavista and Académica, both Praia based clubs. Boavista managed to secure a win thanks to a goal in the second half. Desportivo da Prai, one of the promoted teams, are making themselves comfortable towards the top of the table. Relâmpago, who barely escaped relegation last season looks as though they might not be so lucky this time.
The 2nd division had its first round of games this weekend and I’ll look to include a league table in next week’s update.
I’m working on a primer of the regional and national leagues and competitions in Cabo Verde and hope to have that out later this week. So if you’re confused by the sheer quantity of teams named Académica be on the lookout.