Bubista’s rise from sock-made balls to leading Cape Verde into the World Cup knockouts | OneFootball

Cape Verde’s World Cup surprise is being steered by coach Pedro Leita Brito, known as Bubista, whose side reached the last 32 to face Argentina after three group draws.

Only a month earlier, after a 3-0 win over Serbia, he spoke of a small country aiming big, words few beyond the archipelago heard.

According to L'Équipe, attention has shifted to their placid 56-year-old coach. After the 0-0 with Spain and goalkeeper Vozinha’s viral moment, he was lifted by Jovane Cabral, then danced with a cigar.

He then faced the media draped in a vast Cape Verde flag, keeping the message sober yet ambitious, saying they are proud and that nothing feels impossible.

He first kicked balls his mother made from old socks, glimpsed 1982 and 1986 on a shared television in Povoacao Velha, and idolised Lothar Matthäus, Éder, Falcao and Diego Maradona.

A modest centre-back, he left at 25, played two games for Badajoz, spent five seasons in Angola from 1997 to 2002, had a short spell at Estoril, and won 28 caps from 1991 to 2005.

Former coach Rui Aguas visited the Troia camp and praised Bubista’s calm, the now professional support, and a united, multicultural squad proud to represent Cape Verde.

Back in Ribeira Bote, Mindelo, a mural to Bubista is being prepared, near one honouring captain Ryan Mendes, whom he guided into senior football 20 years ago.

Source: L'Équipe