So, in which country there is a football league where you can find teams like Barcelona, Spartak, Celtic and Ajax? As strange as it may seems, the answer lies in a small archipelago just off the coast of Senegal, the Cape Verde islands.
Of course these teams are not the grand clubs we are used to talking about. They’re just Barcelona do Tarrafal, Spartak de Ribeira Bote, Celtic da Achadinha and Ajax de Calheta São Miguel.
But, as unknown as they might be, the Cape Verde islands do have links to a couple of world famous football players. The name most people know is the Manchester United winger Nani, who plays for the Portuguese national team. But there are others with Cape-Verdian nationality or parents, including Nélson (Betis Sevilla), Eliseu (Lazio Roma) and David Mendes da Silva (AZ Alkmaar). Even Henrik Larsson, the deathly Swedish striker, has a Cape-Verdian father.
The local football may not have stars as bright as these one, but it does have some interesting features. Cape Verde is made up of nine inhabited islands. Seven of those islands have their own local championship, while the islands of Santiago and Santo Antão are divided in two leagues, North and South.
So, after a short local season (no premier league of any island has more than 10 clubs), comes the national championship. The 11 island champions face off, divided in two groups. Each club plays the other twice, at home and away. The top two of each group go to the semi-finals.
After the Cape Verde champion is found, the same format is used for the Cup. The Cup winners from the nine islands are split into two groups. But this competition takes place in a very short span, about a week, during which there are games every day.
Just when you think the season is over and the rainy August summer is upon the islands, comes the Independence Cup. In a way, it is the most anticipated football competition in Cape Verde. In one single place, the islands teams battle for the bragging rights during the next year.
The Cape-Verdean football may lack quality, but it is filled with technique, hardcore fans and refereeing conflicts. Let’s start our journey.
Wow! Where else on the web can you read one article about the Scottish football league then scroll up to read about Cape Verdean football? Fantastic stuff!
Posted by Jodie Gardiner | 7 September, 2009, 10:52Great insight, thanks Vitor – I’m sure everyone is looking forward to your next one!
Was going to write the same thing as you Jodie – really shows off the diversity over here at World Football Columns!
Posted by Steven Jones | 8 September, 2009, 09:15That´s amazing!!!! Never had a clue this migth happen in such a small country! And may I ask for which one of those clubs do you fell more passionate?
Posted by Fabricio Presilli | 8 September, 2009, 11:44Great article Vitor. Looking forward to hearing more, particularly about club and island rivalries, and also fan culture.
Posted by William Heaney | 8 September, 2009, 11:58Thanks for all the kind words. About the clubs I feel most passionate about, I must admit it’s none of those I named on the article.
During my first few months in Cape Verde, I was working in the capital, Praia. The main local clubs are Sporting da Praia, Académica da Praia and FC Travadores. These three teams were formed, when Cape Verde was still a Portuguese colony, by fans of three of the biggest football clubs in Portugal, Sporting, Académica and Benfica.
And I developed a bit of footballing crush for Sporting da Praia, but the reasons why will probably be on another post.
Right now, I’m working on the second most important island, São Vicente. Perhaps the local football will manage to change my mind.
Posted by Vitor Quintã | 9 September, 2009, 13:01