Cape Verde edge closer to historic World Cup qualification after beating Cameroon

Cape Verde are just one win away from qualifying for the FIFA World Cup for the first time after upsetting continental giants Cameroon 1-0 in Praia.

Dalion Livramento was the hero for the Blue Sharks, scoring a brilliant solo goal in the 54th minute. The forward muscled Carlos Baleba off the ball in his own half before surging through the heart of Cameroon’s defence and calmly slotting past Andre Onana from 14 yards.

 

Cape Verde at the 2026 World Cup is looking very likely 🇨🇻⚽️ pic.twitter.com/mICee8dFON

— Fiifi (@Efson_) September 9, 2025

Cameroon, five-time African champions, struggled to find a response. Bryan Mbeumo saw a penalty appeal waved away, while Vozinha preserved Cape Verde’s lead with a late save from Flavien Boyomo’s stoppage-time volley.

At the final whistle, jubilant fans poured onto the pitch, waving flags and lighting flares in celebration of what could prove to be the nation’s most famous footballing triumph.

The win extends Cape Verde’s lead at the top of Group D to four points over Cameroon with only two matches remaining. Three more points from their final fixtures – away to Libya and at home against Eswatini – would seal their passage to the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

For the Atlantic archipelago of under 600,000 people, qualification would mark a remarkable new chapter after punching above their weight in recent Africa Cup of Nations campaigns.

 

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