Football: Stopira leaves Cape Verde team after 18 years
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on AnacaoOur method
Cape Verdean defender Ianique dos Santos Tavares, known as Stopira, is ending his 18 years with the Tubarões Azuis, the national football team. He announced his international retirement on 13 October 2026, a year after scoring in the 3-0 win over Eswatini that qualified Cape Verde for the 2026 World Cup, Anacao reports.
Cape Verdean defender Ianique dos Santos Tavares, known as Stopira, has announced the end of his 18-year career with the Tubarões Azuis, Cape Verde’s national football team, according to Anacao. He confirmed his departure in a message posted on social media, expressing gratitude for his time with the team.
Stopira recalled, among other things, Cape Verde’s historic qualification for the 2026 World Cup, secured a year earlier. His goal against Eswatini was one of the campaign’s highlights. Goalkeeper Vozinha, Sidny Lopes Cabral, Kevin Lenini, as well as several artists and public figures, paid tribute to the defender’s legacy, describing him as a national team legend, Anacao reports.
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Summary produced with the help of artificial intelligence tools, under AFREEQUE’s editorial responsibility.
