The Cabo Verdean Effect

If there ever was a football match that has impacted my life, it is the game between Argentina and Cabo Verde in the FIFA World Cup 2026. Cabo Verde never gave up, even though they were viewed as the lesser team. However, this football squad, making its debut in the World Cup as the third smallest nation to have ever participated in the tournament’s history, viewed themselves as worthy opponents for the world champions. This match has made me recognize even more how a wrong mindset can not only greatly influence how you play a game, but it can also affect how you live your life. Cabo Verde surprised the world and gained so much respect and love across the globe because of how they competed. They didn’t play like they were from a group of small islands, but rather they played like a giant nation. I have heard that even in Africa there are people who have never heard of Cabo Verde, but now many throughout the world do because of how they carried themselves with dignity, honor, and courage in this tournament while competing against the best in the world. Bubista, the manager of the team, was instrumental in how they played, and he expressed pride in his team in a postgame interview after its match with Argentina.

I feel pride in my players and in what they did. They did it with dignity and courage. I think Argentina showed why they're world champions. I think I can say our team showed how willing they were to play this game, to play this match. I don't think any other team could have scored two goals against Argentina and then taken the match into extra time…. Obviously, at times during the match, you have to have courage and you have to be well-organized because of how skilled your opponent is. But I think that being able to equalize against Argentina twice, after falling behind, shows how resilient our team is and how strong our character is as well.

I agree with this wholeheartedly, and I believe their approach to this game is how we should also approach life. God also expects us to live with dignity and honor, and without fear—especially since He is with us.

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:8-9

If the Cabo Verdean football team can do this, I should be able to do this. The way these players competed even caught the eye of the Catholic Church. A Catholic bishop in Cabo Verde issued a message regarding the team on Saturday, July 4, a day after they faced Argentina, which was featured in ACI Africa, a Catholic News Agency.

"We wish to commend not only the excellent results you achieved, but above all the way you brought honor to our nation," Bishop dos Santos said. He praised the players for demonstrating "talent, discipline, courage, team spirit and respect for your opponents," adding that sport reveals not only technical ability but also "nobility of attitude and greatness of character."

Can other Christians say similar words about me?  After watching this game I had to be introspective. Do I live my life with courage, as they played? Am I as disciplined?

I even think that how many African and Caribbean nations have played football has to change after this match. We have played with an inferiority complex thinking other teams are better. And they may be, but we can’t have that mentality. Cabo Verde has shown that being small, with few resources and a limited talent pool to draw from, should not affect our mindset. Nearly 90 years ago, the Jamaican-born Pan-Africanist, Marcus Garvey, said, "We are going to emancipate ourselves from mental slavery because whilst others might free the body, none but ourselves can free the mind."  This quote was made famous in Bob Marley’s Redemption Song. Unfortunately, many of us from nations that have experienced colonialism have not yet freed our minds and still suffer from an inferiority complex and fear. It is shown in how we play football and in other parts of our lives.  We have to take our thoughts captive, as the Apostle Paul told the Corinthian Church, and he also wrote about the mind to the Roman Church.

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2

We need to stop believing that we are less than. We were told these lies by colonialists for centuries, and our minds have been conformed to this way of thinking. But now we have to be transformed by God’s truth, knowing that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. This is the Cabo Verdean effect on me. And I thank God for using this football team to make me take a deep look at my life and what is happening around me. I want to live fearlessly for Christ, as they played football with no fear.