*Undated
Playing in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is certainly every African player's dream and for Ireland born Roberto Lopes, the dream came true in a rather unusual fashion.
As funny as it may sound, Roberto Lopes got an invitation to represent Cape Verde through a LinkedIn message!
Yes exactly, LinkedIn! The interesting part is that Lopes, who is currently a defender for Shamrock Rovers (League of Ireland Premier Division) ignored the message thinking it was spam.
Cape Verde coach Rui Aguas first contacted the Shamrock Rovers defender via LinkedIn in 2018. He wanted to discuss the prospect of him playing for the national team because he was eligible through his father. Lopes however ignored it since he doesn't speak Portuguese.
Fast Forward three years later and the defender is currently part of the 'Blue Sharks' having turned in an assured defensive display for the team on Sunday January 9th, recording a clean sheet in a 1-0 victory against Ethiopia.
Speaking after the game, Lopes revealed the pride he felt as he secured a big win on his tournament debut in Cameroon. “I’m absolutely chuffed to play my first game in the African Cup of Nations,” he told Shamrock Rovers’ media team after the game. “It’s a proud moment for me."
During the game itself, Lopes turned in a solid display, with an 82% successful passing rate, and also won three duels.
Seven of his 12 long balls also came off, while he also racked up five interceptions during the game.
Striker Julio Tavares headed home the winner as Cape Verde Islands shrugged off their COVID-19 woes to beat 10-man Ethiopia.
Tavares forced home a diving header after a superb cutback pass from Garry Rodrigues on the stroke of halftime at the Olembe Stadium in Yaounde as the Cape Verdians joined hosts Cameroon on top of the Group A standings.
Next up for Cape Verde, is a tough matchup against a physical side of Burkina Faso, but a win would all but secure their place in the knockout phase of the competition.