But, after the match-day three loss in Yaounde, Cape Verde won five consecutive qualifiers, including crucial one-goal victories away to Angola and at home to Cameroon.

That left the islanders needing three points from their final two qualifiers this month, and a drama-filled 3-3 draw in Libya secured one before hosting Eswatini.

Last year, in the midst of the World Cup campaign, Cape Verde fared poorly in 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying, winning only one match of six and failing to secure a place at the tournament.

Despite flopping in a group from which Egypt and Botswana advanced, Cape Verdean officials retained faith in long-serving Brito.

After two stints as assistant coach of the national team and spells with five local clubs, the coach widely known as Bubista took charge of Cape Verde in 2020.

The 55-year-old former centerback, who represented his country 21 times, guided Cape Verde to successive AFCON tournaments, in Cameroon three years ago and Cote d'Ivoire last year.

It reached the knockout phase each time, making a last-16 exit in Cameroon, then, last year, losing a quarterfinal against South Africa on penalties, seeing four of its spotkicks saved.

Cameroon still alive

The nine group winners automatically qualify for the World Cup. The four best runners-up play in a mini-tournament of two semifinals and a final in November. Cameroon can still advance as a runner-up.

The repechage winner advances to FIFA's playoff tournament against opponents from Asia, CONCACAF, South America and Oceania.

Tickets for the Cape Verde match were sold in record time, according to FIFA, and the government declared a half-day holiday across the country so people could watch the game.

The 2026 World Cup will feature an expanded field of 48 teams, up from 32.

In the other Group D match, Mauritius and Libya drew 0-0.

In Group C, Lesotho defeated Zimbabwe 1-0 at home.

With its spot in the World Cup already secured, Tunisia closed its African qualifying run with a comfortable 3-0 home win over Namibia.

Ali Abdi converted a 28th-minute penalty kick and Hannibal Mejbri and Ferjani Sassi added second-half goals to secure Tunisia the best record in African qualifying.

Tunisia won Group H with 28 points from 10 matches, outscoring opponents 22-0. It dropped two points and finished 13 points ahead of second-placed Namibia.

Also in Group H, Equatorial Guinea drew with Liberia 1-1 at home, while last-placed Sao Tome and Principe beat Malawi 1-0 for its first win in the group — and first victory in the World Cup preliminaries in 10 years.

In Group B, South Sudan drew with visiting Togo 0-0.

Agencies