Cape Verde manager takes new job after fairytale World Cup run

Cape Verde’s highly-regarded manager Bubista, who led the island nation to a remarkable World Cup debut last month, has been appointed manager of Morocco’s Renaissance Berkane, the club announced on Tuesday.

No details of his contract were immediately available, but the appointment follows protracted negotiations that reportedly considered Bubista juggling both the national team and club roles.

However, media reports indicate the 56-year-old is expected to resign from his Cape Verde position within days.

Renaissance Berkane, a formidable force in Moroccan football, secured the league title in 2025 and finished as runners-up this year. They also reached the semi-finals of the African Champions League last season and are set to compete in the continent’s premier club competition once more.

Bubista, whose real name is Pedro Leitao Brito, was named African Coach of the Year in 2025 after securing Cape Verde’s historic World Cup qualification.

At the tournament in Canada, Mexico and the United States, his team achieved shock draws against Spain and Uruguay, before suffering a narrow extra-time defeat by eventual finalists Argentina in the round of 32.

Bubista is not the only star from the Cape Verde setup to get a big move following the team’s fairytale World Cup run.

Goalkeeper Vozinha, whose Instagram following skyrocketed during the tournament after his heroics against Spain in the group stage, has been signed by Chilean club Colo-Colo.

The 40-year-old is now fighting for permission to use his footballing nickname on his shirt when he makes his debut for the club, with current league rules in Chile not allowing players to have their nicknames on theirjerseys.

For the personal identification of players, the paternal and/or maternal surname must be printed on the upper back of the jersey, between 5 and 5.5 cm high, and the initial of the first name may be added, according to the league’s regulations. They ⁠also expressly prohibit the use of ‌nicknames.

“Nicknames, appellations, or sobriquets will not be permitted. If there are players with the same surname at a club, the initial of the first name or ‌the second surname, in that order of precedence, must ‌be added to distinguish them,” the rules continue.

But there have been previous exceptions allowed by the Chilean football association (ANFP) and Colo-Colo are hoping they will allow the veteran goalkeeper, whose real name is Josimar José Évora Dias, to use Vozinha, as he did during the World Cup.