Pico Lopes helps Cape Verde qualify for African Nations Cup

Shamrock Rovers defender Pico Lopes was part of the Cape Verde team on Sunday who secured their place at the African Cup of Nations next year.

The Blue Sharks’ 3-1 home win over Burkina Faso means they booked their place in the tournament that takes place in Ivory Coast beginning on 13 January 2024.

🦈🇨🇻 𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗼𝘀 𝗮𝗼 𝗖𝗔𝗡 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣3️⃣
📍Cidade da Praia
🏟️ Nacional

𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗱𝗼 𝗝𝗼𝗴𝗼
📝 🇨🇻 3️⃣-1️⃣ 🇧🇫
⚽ Bebé
⚽ João Paulo Fernandes
⚽ Clehttps://t.co/UZCpdeWnj1#TotalEnergiesAFCON | #TotalEnergiesAFCONQ2023 | #CaboVerde | #TubarõesAzuis | #BurkinaFasopic.twitter.com/SYrEhLB8n1

— Federação Cabo-verdiana de Futebol (@fcfcomunica) June 18, 2023

Last time out in the African Cup of Nations, Lopes played his part in helping Cape Verde qualify for the last 16 where they were eliminated by eventual champions Senegal.

In the group stages they lost 1-0 to Burkina Faso but their win over Ethiopia and a 1-1 draw against tournament hosts Cameroon (in a game Lopes won player of the match) saw them make the knock out stages.

Lopes earned his first international cap back in 2019 and this week he added cap number 18 (in a friendly against World Cup semi-finalists Morocco in Rabat) and 19 in today’s victory in Cape Verde.

James McClean to captain Ireland as he hits century mark of capshttps://t.co/IjdhvuUyXrpic.twitter.com/t6UBMV4K97

— Extratime.com (@ExtratimeNews) June 18, 2023