Cape Verde have thrashed Edmilson Dove’s Mozambique to book a place into the knockout stages of the Africa Cup Of Nations in Ivory Coast.
Cape Verde started the match with high intensity, as they were looking to get an early goal. After five minutes they had a good two-vs-two situations after a good high press, but Dove responded well.
Inside 24th minutes the Sharks received a free-kick just outside the 18-area and Rayo Vallecano forward Bebe stepped up but he was denied by the Mambas goalkeeper Ernani.
After 30 minutes, water break was needed in a hot Abidjan. Immediately after the water break in the 32md minute Bebe had another free-kick which was even further away but this time the 33-year-old blasted a rocket passed the surprised Ernani to make it 1-0.
In the 39th minute, Mozambique were awarded a penalty after it appeared that tricky Geny Catamo was fouled inside the box but referee Samir Guezzaz overturned his decision after VAR review.
The second half kicked off with Mozambique looking to hit back. But things didn’t go accordingly with Dove making a mistake and losing the ball as last man in the 51st minute, which was punished by Ryan Mendes to make it 2-0.
The Mambas had a chance to pull one back in the 58th minute when they got a free-kick just outside the box but Geny Catamo hit the crossbar and it remained 2-0.
In the 70th minute, the Blue Sharks made it 3-0 with a thunderbolt from Keven Pina, which left no chance for Ernani.
Cape Verde controlled the tempo of the game towards 80th minutes with writing all over the wall. They have become the first team to qualify for the Round of 16, topping Group B with six points.