Shamrock Rovers defender Roberto Lopes receives first call-up for Cape Verde

Shamrock Rovers defender Roberto Lopes has received his first call-up for the Cape Verde national team for the forthcoming friendlies against Togo and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Dublin-born Lopes qualifies for the African nation through his Cape Verde-born father and had been mooted for a call-up during his time with Bohemians.

The 26-year-old starred in Rovers' Europa League qualifying campaign, scoring in the qualifiers against SK Brann and Apollon Limassol.

Lopes is one of five new faces in the Blue Sharks squad alongside Lorenzo Fonseca of Sparta Rotterdam, Romário Carvalho of 1 Dezembro, Hildeberto of Votoria du Setubal and OFI Crete’s Lisandro Semedo

Returning to the squad following absences are Porto striker Zé Luis, defenders Elson and Rodny Cabral and Haugesund midfielder Bruno Leite.

Cape Verde take on Togo in Marseilles on Thursday, October 10^th before facing DR Congo at the same venue on the 13^th.

Cape Verde squad:

Goalkeepers: Vozinha (AEL Limassol), Mário Évora (Agueda), Elber Évora (Feyenoord).

Defenders: Tiago Almeida (Acadêmico de Viseu), Rodny Cabral (Poli Iasi), Elso Brito (Go Ahead Eagles), Stopira (VIDI FC), Lorenzo Fonseca (Sparta Rotterdam), Carlos Ponck (Basaksehir), Romário Carvalho (1 Dezembro), Roberto Lopes (Shamrock Rovers).

Midfielders

Jeffrey Fortes (Excelsior), Kelvin Medina (Acadêmico de Viseu), Helder Tavares (Altay FC), Bruno Leite (FK Haugesund), Kenny Rocha (Nancy), Platini Soares (Poli Iasi), Hildeberto (Vitoria de Setúbal), Ryan Mendes (Al Sharjah), Vagner Dias (Nancy), Heldon Ramos (Al Tawoon), Lisandro Semedo (OFI Creta).

Forwards

Julio Tavares (Dijon), Ricardo Gomes (Al Sharjah), Djaniny Semedo (Al Alhy), Zé Luís (FC Porto).