Bebe: Cape Verde includes former United prodigy in AFCON 2023 squad

• Bebe will make his first tournament appearance during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte D’Ivoire
• The Rayo Vallecano forward switched allegiance from Portugal to Cape Verde Island in 2022
• The former Manchester United finisher has scored two goals in 13 appearances for the Spanish club this season 

Coach Pedro Bubista of Cape Verde Island has named former Manchester United FC forward, Tiago Manuel Dias ‘Bebe’ Correira in his final 24-man squad for the 2023 Africa Cups of Nations (AFCON) tournament scheduled for January 13 to February 11 across six venues in Côte D’Ivoire.

The Portuguese-born striker will make his first tournament appearance for the Blue Sharks during their third AFCON tournament and is expected to lead their frontline as it was once upon a time at Manchester United.

Bebe became a Cape Verdi Island international in 2022 after his stunted progress diminished his chances of following up his international experience with Portugal.

The 16-cap forward will carry the hopes and aspirations of his parents nation of birth when the tournament gets underway for Cape Verde Island with the first game against Ghana, before meetings with Egypt and Mozambique later on.

The former Vitoria Guimaraes striker will be one of the stars at the tournament especially because of the good old days under Sir Alex Furguson at Manchester United.

He is expected to inspire his nation as they hope to add to their one quarter-final appearance at the tournament.

Cape Verde begin their preparations on Saturday in Portugal before moving on to Tunisia where they have a warm-up friendly scheduled for January 10.

Though Bebe will attract media interest, Ryan Mendes, who will be 34 next month and 37-year-old Vozinha who has played all but one of their 11 previous matches at the 2013, 2015 and 2022 tournaments will also form part of the media attraction.

Cape Verde Island AFCON 2023 squad:

Goalkeepers: Vozinha (AS Trencin, Slovakia), Marcio Rosa (Anadia, Portugal), Dylan Silva (Sintrense, Portugal).

Defenders: Stopira (Boavista da Praia, Cape Verde), Roberto ‘Pico’ Lopes (Shamrock Rovers, Ireland), Diney (Al Bataeh, UAE), Dylan Tavares (Bastia, France), Logan Costa (Toulouse, France), Joao Correia (GD Chaves, Portugal), Steven Moreira (Columbus Crew, USA).

Midfielders: Jamiro Monteiro (San Jose Earthquakes, USA), Kenny Rocha (AEZ Zakakiou, Cyprus), Patrick Andrade (Qarabag, Azerbaijan), Joao Paulo Fernandes (Sheriff Tiraspol, Moldova), Deroy Duarte (Fortuna Sittard, Netherlands), Cuca (Uniao de Leiria, Portugal), Kevin Pina (Krasnodar, Russia), Laros Duarte (Groningen, Netherlands).

Forwards: Ryan Mendes (Fatih Karagumruk, Turkey), Garry Rodrigues (Anakaragucu, Turkey), Djaniny (Al Fateh, Saudi Arabia), Willy Semedo (Omonia, Cyprus), Bebe (Rayo Vallecano, Spain), Jovane Cabral (Salernitana, Italy), Helio Varela (Portimonense, Portugal), Bryan Teixeira (Sturm Graz, Austria).

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