Pico Lopes to have limited involvement in Cape Verde friendlies

Pico Lopes is on international duty with Cape Verde this week

Pico Lopes is on international duty with Cape Verde this week Credit: Peter Fitzpatrick (ETPhotos)

Macdara Ferris reports from Tallaght Stadium

Shamrock Rovers defender Pico Lopes is part of the Cape Verde squad for a trio of upcoming friendlies. However it is expected that the Hoops player will have limited involvement on the pitch in those matches.

Stephen Bradley, speaking to the media after his side’s 2-2 draw with Sligo Rovers, outlined Lopes’ expected involvement.

“I'm nearly sure he is not going to play a lot of the games,” said Bradley about the 29-year-old defender. “They are bringing a younger group with only a couple of experienced players.

"They are in a bit of a rebuilding phase. I'm sure he will feature but I don't think he is going to play all the games.”

Speaking in Rovers’ match programme last Friday, Lopes talked about those upcoming games and the experience of playing in January’s African Cup of Nations.

“We have three friendlies coming up against Liechtenstein, Guadalupe and San Marino,” said Lopes who has played a dozen games for the Blue Sharks.

“The first game is in Orléans in France (on Wednesday 23 March) and the other two are in Spain (in San Pedro del Pinatar). 

“After that during the summer the qualification for the 2023 AFCON starts in the next international window. That tournament has moved to June 2023. 

“We really enjoyed the last tournament bar the way it ended,” said Lopes talking about Cape Verde’s elimination in the last 16 by eventual winners Senegal in a game where he was affected by food poisoning.



“I came off at half time, puking my ring up. The game got away from us in having two players sent off. We feel we have a lot more to give. Hopefully we can qualify again and give a better account of ourselves in the next one. Once you get a taste for it, you want to get more and be in these competitions.”

The next AFCON will take place in the Ivory Coast.

    About Macdara Ferris

    Macdara Ferris is a contributor since 2007 to Hoops Scene (Shamrock Rovers' match day programme) and is the co-author of two books on Shamrock Rovers - 'Tallaght Time: Shamrock Rovers 2009 to 2012' (with Karl … View Full Profile