Humberto Bettencourt Named Cape Verde Head Coach
The Cape Verdean Football Federation (FCF) has officially appointed Humberto Bettencourt as the new head coach of the national team, known affectionately as the “Blue Sharks.” The announcement, made via social media on Monday, marks a new chapter for the island nation following their historic performance on the world stage.
Building on World Cup Success
Bettencourt takes the helm during a golden era for Cape Verdean football. He succeeds Pedro Brito, better known as “Bubista,” who stepped down after a transformative six-year tenure. Under Bubista’s leadership, the Blue Sharks achieved their first-ever FIFA World Cup qualification in 2026. The team defied expectations by reaching the knockout stages, eventually falling to Argentina in a hard-fought round-of-32 match that went into extra time.
Bubista has since moved to Moroccan club RS Berkane, where he recently signed a two-season contract.
A Seamless Transition
The appointment of Bettencourt represents continuity for the squad. Since 2020, he has served as the senior team’s first assistant coach, working closely with the players who secured the nation’s World Cup debut.
Bettencourt brings a deep academic and technical background to the role. He holds a Master’s degree in Sports Science from the University of Beira Interior in Portugal and a postgraduate degree in Neurosciences Applied to Sport. His resume also includes serving as the president of the Cape Verde Football Coaches Association and a stint leading the coaches’ commission for the national Olympic Committee.
The New Technical Team
To support Bettencourt’s vision, the FCF has rounded out the technical staff with a mix of specialists:
- Assistant Coaches: António Leite and Filipe Neto
- Fitness Coach: Adinylson Fonseca
- Analyst: Bruno Reis
Bettencourt is no stranger to success on home soil, having previously secured a regional championship title and being named the best coach in the Santiago Sul region. Now, he faces the challenge of maintaining Cape Verde’s momentum as they look to establish themselves as a consistent powerhouse in African football.
Image: Pexels – Franco Monsalvo
