Cape Verde beat Mozambique 3-0 to become the first team to reach the knockout stage at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny stadium on Friday.
Former Manchester United forward Bebe fired home a long-range free-kick from some 35 metres out in the 32nd minute with captain Ryan Mendes scoring the second soon and another long-range shot from Kevin Pina in the 69th minute secured a convincing win for the Blue Sharks.
Victory means Cape Verde has guaranteed a top spot in Group B, ahead of former champions Egypt and Ghana, with a game to spare.
The Blue Sharks face the North African side Egypt in their final group match on Monday.
“I don’t know how far we can go. Now we are into the last 16 and we just need to keep working as we have been,” said Mendes, formerly of Lille and Nottingham Forest and now with Turkish side Fatih Karagumruk.
“We know it won’t be easy but we believe in ourselves and in our work.”
Their next match is on Monday against Egypt, who have two points and will clinch second place and a last-16 spot of their own with a win.
Mozambique, appearing at their fifth AFCON, has still never won a match in 14 attempts at the tournament.
However, they play Ghana next and still have a chance of qualifying, with both teams level on one point each.
Bebe made his Cape Verde debut in 2022 after switching international allegiance from Portugal.
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