Pico Lopes helps Cape Verde qualify for African Nations Cup

Pico Lopes is planning to head to Ivory Coast in January now for the African Cup of Nations

Pico Lopes is planning to head to Ivory Coast in January now for the African Cup of Nations Credit: Peter Fitzpatrick (ETPhotos)

Shamrock Rovers defender Pico Lopes was part of the Cape Verde team on Sunday who secured their place at the African Cup of Nations next year.

The Blue Sharks’ 3-1 home win over Burkina Faso means they booked their place in the tournament that takes place in Ivory Coast beginning on 13 January 2024.

Last time out in the African Cup of Nations, Lopes played his part in helping Cape Verde qualify for the last 16 where they were eliminated by eventual champions Senegal.

In the group stages they lost 1-0 to Burkina Faso but their win over Ethiopia and a 1-1 draw against tournament hosts Cameroon (in a game Lopes won player of the match) saw them make the knock out stages.

Lopes earned his first international cap back in 2019 and this week he added cap number 18 (in a friendly against World Cup semi-finalists Morocco in Rabat) and 19 in today’s victory in Cape Verde.

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 โ€ฆ View Full Profile