Cape Verde announce Afcon squad

He is one of three key figures missing from the 23-man squad named by the small island nation for the tournament in South Africa from January 19 - February 10.

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Cape Verde make their debut at the continental championship without the 32-year-old Pacos Ferreira defender, who last month said he would have to make a choice in favour of his club whose fourth place in the Portuguese league standings.

Cape Verde coach Lucio Antunes, the first of the 16 finalists coaches to name his squad, left out veteran captain Lito and striker Dady, both prominent players for the team in recent years.

The squad has just one home-based player, uncapped reserve goalkeeper Rilly from Mindelsense. The rest come from clubs in Angola, Cyprus, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Portugal.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Fock (Petro Atletico), Rilly (Mindelense), Vozinha (Progresso Sambizanga)

Defenders: Carlitos (AEL Limassol), Fernando Varela (FC Vaslui) Gege (Maritimo), Guy Ramos (RKC Waalwijk), Josimar (FC Dordrecht), Nando (Chateauroux), Nivaldo (Academica Coimbra), Pecks (Gil Vicente)

Midfielders: Babanco, David Silva (both Olhanense), Marco Soares (Omonia Nicosia), Odair Fortes (Stade Reims), Roni (Fola Esch), Stenio (Feirense), Toni Varela (Sparta Rotterdam)

Forwards: Djaniny (Olhanense), Heldon (Maritimo), Julio Tavares (Dijon), Ryan Mendes (OSC Lille), Ze Luis (Sporting Braga).