Atlanta’s underdogs, Cape Verde and Congo, make World Cup history

Many in Atlanta have wrapped their arms around these two African nations, claiming them as their own, regardless of their heritage. Perhaps many in Atlanta found the two sides embodied the city’s rich Black history, which was forged in persistence.

“I think we show the resilience of Cape Verdean people,” Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha said. “We show the passion we have for our country, and we show also that we are here to represent not just the player but all the Cape Verdean people in the world. We are small, but we have (a) big heart, and we are fighters.”

Vozinha earned the hearts of Atlantans and across the globe when the goalkeeper made seven saves, earning a clean sheet against a Spain team that went on to score five goals in the group.

The Blue Sharks finished second in the group after drawing with Uruguay and Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, Les Léopards squeezed into the next round as a third-place team — one of eight to make the knockout round — after an impressive 1-1 tie with Portugal, a loss to Colombia and finally beating Uzbekistan 3-1 in Atlanta.

Congo forward Yoane Wissa scored two goals in that final group match, and afterward showed appreciated for the support from Atlanta, especially the Congolese diaspora fans in attendance.

“We showed what it means for us, we fight no matter what,” Wissa said. “It’s not easy in our country; it’s a war in East Congo and every day, every time we wear this shirt, we think about them. So, tonight that’s what we show, just no matter what, we need to keep going because we want peace. For (fans), thank you because we came from far, from nothing to be here.”

A record nine of 10 qualified AFCON teams advanced past the group stage. It helps that the tournament expanded from 32 to 48 teams, creating an extra knockout round of 32. Previously, only six African nations had ever achieved that feat in the history of the tournament. Morocco made history in 2022 as the only African team to reach the semifinals.

“I think that’s good,” Wissa said. “That shows that now African teams can dream big.”

Up next, the two face global soccer giants in England and Argentina. Congo will match up again in Atlanta on Wednesday against an England side that finished at the top of Group L with two wins and a draw.

Meanwhile, Cape Verde is set to play No. 1 FIFA-ranked Argentina in Miami on Friday at 6 p.m. ET. The Blue Sharks will have to do something they have not done this tournament — win a game. This time it will be against an all-time great, Lionel Messi, who is leading the Golden Boot race, tied with France star Kylian Mbappé. The winner of that match will play in Atlanta on July 7 in the round of 16.

“Another chance to make history, so why not?” Cape Verde midfielder Deroy Duarte said. “We will give everything, and then at the end of the game we will see how things will go.”