Cape Verde secures a spot in the last 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations with an impressive victory over Mozambique, fueled by Bebe’s incredible 40-yard free-kick.

Bebe, the Cape Verde winger, made a stunning impact as he scored a magnificent 40-yard free-kick to open the scoring in Cape Verde’s 3-0 victory over Mozambique in the Africa Cup of Nations. This victory secured Cape Verde’s place in the last 16 of the tournament.

Although Bebe is most famously known for his unexpected transfer to Manchester United in 2010, he has since found his footing at Rayo Vallecano in Spain. The 33-year-old showcased his skill and precision as he found the back of the net from the set piece in the 32nd minute. However, Mozambique’s goalkeeper, Ernan Siluane, must shoulder some of the blame for conceding from such a long-range effort.

Mozambique’s defensive woes continued as Cape Verde’s captain, Ryan Mendes, capitalized on another mistake. Edmilson Dove failed to control the ball on the edge of the box, leading to a loss of possession. Mendes took full advantage of the situation and scored in the 51st minute.

Cape Verde’s dominance was further solidified when Kevin Pina unleashed a brilliant strike into the top corner from outside the area, securing a commanding 3-0 lead for his team.

Despite the one-sided nature of the match in Abidjan, Geny Catamo of Mozambique posed the most threat for his team. He earned a penalty in the first half, which was later overturned by a video review. Additionally, Catamo struck the woodwork with a free-kick, showcasing his skill and determination.

With this victory, Cape Verde now sits comfortably at the top of their group with six points from two matches. Egypt follows closely behind with four points, while both Mozambique and Ghana have only managed to secure a single point each.

Cape Verde’s qualification for the knockout round marks a significant achievement for the team. They have become the first team to secure their place in the next stage of the tournament. As the competition continues, football fans can look forward to exciting matches, including Senegal versus Cameroon and Gambia versus Guinea later on Friday.