PSV forward Ayoni Santos opened the scoring as early as the 5th minute in Cape Verde’s 4-2 win over Liberia, giving the Sharks their first victory in the AFCON qualifiers.
Cape Verde finally have their first win in the AFCON qualifiers. Against Liberia, the Sharks won 4-2, carried by an early goal from Ayoni Santos, according to Africa Top Sports. The 21-year-old forward, who started the match, opened the scoring after just five minutes of play, before being replaced in the 58th minute.
The match also marked the international debut of Huddersfield’s Derenzil Sanchez Fernandes, who scored a goal on his first cap, according to Dongqiudi. The win comes after Cape Verde’s defeats to Mali and Rwanda in these qualifiers.
An early goal to set them on their way
As early as the 5th minute, Ayoni Santos found the back of the net, giving his side the lead. Cape Verde, beaten by Mali and Rwanda so far in these qualifiers, had not yet won a match. The young forward, handed a start, thus opened his international account. The previous weekend, he had already scored for PSV in their 5-2 win over SC Cambuur (Africa Top Sports).
Substituted in the 58th minute, Santos did not finish the match, which the Sharks won 4-2 (Africa Top Sports).
Fernandes, a successful first cap
Besides Ayoni Santos, another new face marked the match: Huddersfield’s Derenzil Sanchez Fernandes celebrated his first cap with a goal, according to Dongqiudi.
Cape Verde are in Group B with Egypt and Angola (Dongqiudi). After this first win, the Sharks must back it up in a group where qualification goes through second place.
Liberia on the road again
Cape Verde will have to confirm this first win in the return match against Liberia, scheduled for 17 November 2026, according to Africa Top Sports and Qiumiwu.
To qualify for the AFCON, the Sharks must finish second in Group B (Africa Top Sports, Qiumiwu). Liberia, already beaten 4-2 in the first leg, will therefore once again be Cape Verde’s direct opponent.