Cape Verde’s football team have been welcomed home by tens of thousands of elated supporters following a historic run at the World Cup.
The Blue Sharks flew into the capital city, Praia, on Sunday, having been knocked out of the tournament after a thrilling match against reigning champions Argentina.
Jubilant fans transformed the airport’s grounds into a carnival of sorts, banging drums, dancing, chanting and waving the national flag.
Goalkeeper Vozinha, who drew global attention with his performances, told the BBC: “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,” said Vozinha, real name Josimar José Évora Dias, while wearing a white T-shirt emblazoned with his country’s name.
One supporter told the BBC she attended the homecoming in order to show her gratitude to the Blue Sharks, who represented the World Cup’s second-smallest nation and had never played in the tournament before, yet held their own against giants like Spain and Uruguay.
Fans at the airport screamed Vozinha’s name, as well as those of other stars, such as centre-back Pico Lopes.
Amid the celebrations, the players took turns to sign fans’ football tops.
The homecoming coincides with Cape Verde’s independence day, on which the island is celebrating 51 years since the end of Portuguese colonial rule.
Cape Verde came into the World Cup ranked 67th in the world, but three group-stage draws – including holding European champions Spain 0-0 in their opening game – set up the monumental task of trying to cause one of the biggest upsets the World Cup has ever seen.
Against Argentina, they went behind to a Messi goal, but came back to level at 1-1 and take the game to extra time. Then they went behind again – before a stunning strike from Sidny Lopes Cabral levelled once more. It was not to be though, with a cruel deflection off Diney Borges from Cristian Romero’s header seeing Argentina through.
Despite defeat, Cape Verde manager Pedro Leitão Brito, also known as Bubista, was proud of a team which came within 10 minutes of forcing Argentina into a penalty shootout.
“We showed that we may be a small country but we can play against the best teams in the world,” he said. “That’s a reason for pride.
“We made history for our country. They can be proud for representing our country.”