Africa-Press – Cape verde. Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e Silva announced this Wednesday, the 29th, that the government will award a cash prize to the women’s national football team for their “brilliant” qualification, for the first time, for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN).
These statements were made during the official reception and recognition ceremony last night at the Government Palace, for the historic achievement of the women’s Blue Sharks, who defeated Mali 2-4 in Bamako.
“And because of this, we will also take an exceptional measure of awarding a cash prize to our women’s national football team for this extraordinary event,” he said.
In other words, he clarified, this is a measure not foreseen in the usual award regulations, but to be approved by the Council of Ministers.
This is to, as the head of government stated, make the women’s national football team feel much more motivated, which is why he asked that they see it as more than just a monetary reward.
“It is a reward of motivation, encouragement, and stimulus for them to go further and represent this Cape Verdean nation with pride,” he said.
Considering this “special moment,” Ulisses Correia e Silva expressed words of appreciation for the coach, someone who, he emphasized, believes in and makes things happen with great attitude.
Representing the national team, captain Varsénia da Luz thanked her teammates for the battle that led them to their expected goal, as well as the coaching staff, the Cape Verdean Football Federation, and the Government for all their support.
“Mission given, mission accomplished. We had a dream and we wanted to realize it, a dream that was not only mine, but of an entire nation,” she stated, thanking all the people of Cape Verde, both inside and outside the country, for their support.
In her speech, coach Silvéria Nédio stated that the mission given to the team seemed difficult at first, but never impossible, emphasizing that achieving qualification for both the World Cup and the Africa Cup of Nations in the same year is a historic feat for Cape Verde and a source of pride for all Cape Verdeans.
Tatiana Carvalho, one of the vice-presidents of the Cape Verdean Football Federation, in turn, praised this achievement, highlighting that it was all possible thanks to the support and commitment of the Federation’s president.
She also stated that the goal now is greater: the World Cup, and took the opportunity to appeal for greater support for women’s football.
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