Weekly Roundup | 12/29/2025
A weekly roundup of all things football in Cabo Verde
The last newsletter of the year and despite the holidays, there were plenty of games over the past week.
If you’re looking for a slightly different read then check out our deep dive into the badges of the various Académica clubs in Portugal and Cabo Verde.
We also decided to put together a soundtrack for the Weekly Roundup. You can listen while you read here.
International
FCF President announces FIFA Series participants
New Zealand announced earlier this month that they would be hosting FIFA Series matches, to be held in Auckland during the March international window. The 2026 FIFA Series consists of friendlies between national teams from different continental confederations. It consists of nine different four team groups playing across nine different host countries. Mário Semedo, president of Cabo Verde’s football federation, announced in an interview with RTC (Radiotelevisão Caboverdiana) that Cabo Verde with play in New Zealand against the host country, Chile, and Finland. This is in preparation for the Tubarões Azuis’ first World Cup appearance. They finish the year up one place in FIFA rankings (67th).
Council of Ministers awards prize to Women’s national team
The Council of Ministers announced, on Christmas Eve, a monetary award of 10 million escudos (~£79,000 or $106,000) to the senior women’s national team. This was in awarded in recognition of their historic qualification for the 2026 Women’s African Cup of Nations. The announcement also stated that the award was not only intended as a symbolic gesture but also to motivate the athletes and coaches to continue to represent Cabo Verde on the international stage.
Cardoso announces candidacy for the presidency of the FCF
Álvaro Eliseu Cardoso has formally announced his candidacy for the presidency of the Cape Verdean Football Federation, elections are scheduled for January 10, 2026. This follows the decision of current president, Mário Semedo, not to seek re-election. Cardoso, a high school professor of Physics-Chemistry and current president of the National Arbitration Council of the FCF, says his platform aims to build on existing work while introducing new ideas to strengthen domestic football and the national teams.
Boa Vista
África Show strengthened their grip on top spot
África Show had a dominant 5–1 win over Sanjoanense, moving to nine points from three matches and boasting the league’s best attack. Goals from Papa, Tidjon, Yuran, Tory, and Pelé sealed a comprehensive victory in Rabil. They benefited from a 1-1 draw between the two most recent regional champions, Juventude and Sal-Rei. After three rounds, África Show lead the table ahead of Sporting, with the next matchday scheduled for January 3–4.
Brava
Favorites held to a draw
The second week of the Torneio de Abertura saw title favorites Morabeza and Nô Pintcha finish with a draw while Benfica defeated Académica 2-1. Delton, of Nô Pintcha, scored his third goal thus far and sits atop the Golden Boot.
If you’re interested in watching games, live or after the fact, they are streamed on the Desporto Brava Facebook page. Great that football has not only returned to the island but that people are making it available to the diaspora and fans abroad.
Fogo
Cutelinho stay top as Vulcânico held; Desportivo earn first win
The 8th round of the regional first-division championship saw leaders Cutelinho held to a 1–1 draw by Vulcânico. Vulcânico struck first after 10 minutes through Cá, capitalizing on a defensive lapse, and took a narrow 1–0 lead into halftime. Cutelinho improved markedly after the break and equalized in the 15th minute via Né from a set piece. Despite sustained pressure and several chances, Cutelinho were denied by a standout performance from Vulcânico goalkeeper Moleza, with the hosts holding on for a draw, despite being reduced to ten men late on.
Desportivo de Cova Figueira claimed their first victory of the season with a convincing 4–1 win over Baxada. Elsewhere, Juventus de Curral Grande defeated Valencia 2–0 with second-half goals from Ká and Lucho, while Académica beat Nô Pintcha 2–0 after a scoreless first half.
The 2° Division had its first round of games this weekend but results are still pending for two matches.
Maio
Maio championship in doubt again as clubs struggle to organize
Stop me if you’ve heard this one but the Maio Regional Championship is at risk of not being held for a second consecutive year, according to the Regional Football Association of Maio (ARFM).
ARFM president Zuleica Freire warned that most clubs are still not meeting the minimum requirements to begin the season, citing structural shortcomings, lack of formalized processes, and delays in registration on the FIFA platform. While acknowledging financial constraints faced by clubs, she noted that at least three teams are required for the competition to go ahead and stressed that the Cape Verdean Football Federation (FCF) has shown commitment to supporting football on the island.
Despite the challenges, Freire said the championship could still be organized if concrete steps are taken by interested clubs, with a final decision to be made at a general meeting assessing current conditions. Morreirense, Beira Mar, and Académico 83 have all expressed interest in participating, though none have yet completed official registration. In addition to financial issues, clubs have also pointed to difficulties assembling squads, particularly due to a shortage of young players on the island.
Sal
Taça Dja D’Sal Quarterfinals
Following last week’s Round of 16 knockout we saw the Quarterfinal stage this past weekend. Due to the matchup of Nova Geração - Rue D’Salina we have a 2° Division team in the semis. Best case for them would be if Palmeira and Académico get drawn together and Nova Geração could hope to upset Verdun, who currently sit third from bottom in the 1° Division.
The Académico drubbing of Palha Verde is a bit surprising given their places in the table. They currently sit second and third, respectively, with only 2 points separating them. Tonas added to his tally of goals in the cup competition to take him top of the Golden Boot race.
Santiago Norte
Rincão field inaugurated, strengthening football infrastructure in Santiago Norte
The Santa Catarina City Council has inaugurated the new Rincão Field, a modern grass pitch designed to serve not only the local community but the wider municipality of the Santiago Norte region.
Mayor Armindo Freitas described the project as the realization of a long-standing community ambition, highlighting the installation of imported, high-quality turf and the area’s strong football tradition, particularly among children and young people. The new facility is expected to host matches and events from across the region, helping to revitalize sport locally while giving greater visibility to Rincão.
Beyond sport, the mayor emphasized the project’s socioeconomic impact, noting that the field should attract investment, stimulate local commerce, and create income-generating opportunities for families through events and related activities. Construction began around six months ago and forms part of a wider package of more than ten municipal projects completed under the current administration, fully financed by the city council.
The first phase included the pitch and bathroom facilities, while a second phase will add changing rooms and expanded benches, transforming the venue into a full municipal stadium. The total investment is estimated at around 20,000 contos (~£16,000 or ~$21,000).
Scorpion finish year perfect
The headline pretty much says it all.
Santiago Sul
Break in league for Taça Praia action
The opening round of the Taça Praia, the regional cup competition, began this weekend at the Estádio da Várzea in Praia. Twelve of the 21 teams in Santiago Sul played with both Académica and Boavista delivering 5-1 wins. Académica, who are off to a slower start in the league, easily defeated their 1° Division opponent, Benfica, who currently sit four points off the relegation zone.
Boavista, currently top of the 1° Division table, played Kumunidade, currently last in the 2° Division, and the result was as expected with Boavista cruising to victory. Kumunidade have yet to earn a single point in the league and it doesn’t look like they were saving themselves for the cup competition. Here’s hoping that things change for them when league action resumes.
Santo Antão Norte
Estádio Municipal do Paul delayed by technical errors
Works at the Paul Municipal Stadium have been halted for nearly four months due to technical errors in the project that require an additional investment of around 30,000 contos (~£237,000 or $318,000), according to Paul mayor Adilson Fernandes. The problems were only discovered after construction began.
The municipality is working with the Government of Cape Verde to secure the extra funding needed to resume the project, with the goal of completing the stadium in 2026. The project began in September 2024 and includes: a grass pitch, stands, and bathrooms. The total estimated total cost is 130,000 contos (~£1 million or $1.4 million).
Santo Antão Sul
2nd Round of Taça Porto Novo finishes lopsided
The second round of the regional cup competition didn’t produce the most even games of football with Académica and Sanjoanenses handily defeating their opponents. The competition is in the group stage in which teams play each other in the early rounds and those with the best results will progress to the knockout stages.
São Nicolau
Praia Branca move top
São Vicente
Playoff for 1° Division Spot sees Falcões do Norte win 2-1 over Salamansa
Several weeks ago Farense informed the Regional Football Association of São Vicente (ARFSV) that it would not participate this season. Farense finished 6th last season in the 1° Division, one spot clear of the relegation playoff. Much like Air Bud there ain’t no rule about how to fill the missing spot. Both Falcões do Norte, who finished second in the 2° Division last season but lost the relegation playoff game to Batuque, and Salamansa who were directly relegated due to finish in last place claimed they should occupy Farense’s place. The association chose to let merit decide and opted for a one-off playoff to complete the eight-team top division.
The match was played at the Cape Verdean Football Federation Training Center. Salamansa opened the scoring in the 19th minute through Djodjin, but Falcões do Norte responded before halftime, with Tchitche equalizing in the 36th minute. The turnaround was completed in the second half when Kevin scored the winning goal in the 18th minute, sealing a 2–1 victory for the falcons.
As a result, the 2025/26 São Vicente Campeonato Regional will feature eight clubs: Mindelense (defending champions), Académica, Amarante, Batuque, Castilho, Derby, Ponta de Pom, and Falcões do Norte. With the season scheduled to begin in the first week of January 2026, the draw for the 16-round campaign is expected to take place this week.
Thank you to everyone who has subscribed, liked, commented, and read along. We started this newsletter nine weeks ago as a way to dive deeper into a football region that often flies under the radar, and the response has been a genuine and welcome surprise. We’re grateful to have you with us and look forward to continuing this work, and hopefully pushing it further, in the year ahead.