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Cape Verde‘s players and staff were given a heroes welcome as tens of thousands of jubilant fans turned out to see the team return from their historic run at this summer’s World Cup.
The Blue Sharks flew into the country’s capital city, Praia, on Sunday, following their narrow exit at the hands of holders Argentina in the round of 32.
The archipelago, the third smallest nation ever to reach the finals of football’s showpiece event, gave Lionel Messi and co. an almighty scare in Miami, twice coming from behind to draw level but ultimately falling to a 3-2 defeat as the game went the full 120 minutes.
Even before kick-off, Cape Verde were already the fairytale story of this summer, having held European champions Spain to a goalless draw in their opening match before going undefeated in the group stage to reach the knockout phase.
Forty-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha, who picked up the player of the match award against Spain following a string of top-class saves, gained several million new social media followers, while the team captured the hearts of many football fans across north America.
Speaking to the BBC upon the team’s return, Vozinha said: “It is a very great moment for us to be here with our people.
“We wanted something bigger but we didn’t go to the next stage. Now we just enjoy the moment and celebrate with our people.”
The team’s homecoming coincides with Cape Verde’s independence day, with the island celebrating 51 years since the end of Portuguese colonial rule.
After the Argentina defeat, manager Bubista hailed his players, saying: “We showed that we may be a small country but we can play against the best teams in the world. That’s a reason for pride.
“We made history for our country. They can be proud for representing our country.”