Bubista was just plain old Pedro Leitao Brito when he used to join his neighbours on the island of Boa Vista to watch the FIFA World Cup™. His head full of dreams, he was inspired to pursue a career in football by the images he saw, though he would have to wait until the age of 56 for the greatest moment of his life so far to come, long after he had hung up his boots.
His country’s national team captain for 11 years, Pedro Leitao is now better known as Bubista, the Cabo Verdean Creole name of the island where he first set eyes on the World Cup – a tournament at which the Blue Sharks are about to make their bow, under his command as coach.
“I was very, very young, and back then there was only one TV set in my village, Povoacao Velha, on my home island of Boa Vista, and it wasn’t easy to get to,” the former centre-back recalled in an interview with FIFA.
“I remember Lothar Matthaus from back then and players of the calibre of Eder and Falcao of Brazil,” he said. “I remember them well. And then you had Diego Maradona, of course. Those are my World Cup memories.”
Bubista’s passion for the game was born in that little village and he has carried that energy into the work that he does on the touchline, which has led to a country of just over 500,000 people reaching the World Cup for the first time.
“It’s been part of me ever since I was little, ever since I was a child, when my mother used to make balls from our socks,” explained the man behind the African debutants’ surprise qualification. “My whole day revolves around football and it’s brought a positive energy for our players and our fans. We believe we can always do better, and that’s what we’re doing.
“The World Cup is an incredible opportunity for our people and Africa as a whole. We’re a small country and we’re setting an example, showing that no matter how tiny you are, you can achieve something big by making it to the World Cup.”
Cabo Verde will be up against three tournament regulars in Group H at this year’s World Cup. After kicking off against one of the favourites, Spain, on 15 June, the islanders will take on 1930 and 1950 winners Uruguay on the 21st and AFC heavyweights Saudi Arabia on the 26th.
“When we qualified, I said that we wanted to play the best teams at the World Cup, and we were lucky to get Spain, who are [near the] top of the FIFA ranking; Uruguay, who’ve been world champions twice; and former Asian Cup winners Saudi Arabia,” said Bubista. “We feel very relaxed.”
The ex-defender went on to explain that Cabo Verde owed their unexpected World Cup debut to a change in mindset, one that allowed them to upset the odds and overcome Cameroon, a side with a wealth of experience on the biggest stage of all.
This is no time to be changing their approach, not with such esteemed opponents lying in wait. Speaking with a confidence he has forged since first kicking a ball on the streets of Povoacao Velha, Bubista is determined to savour a historic moment in time for his country.
“We’re going to play against one of the best teams in the world,” said the coach, whose charges will now strive to spring another surprise in the United States, with the whole world watching on. “We’re also giving our older people the chance to experience something like this. There’s no fear. We’re not scared of anything.”
Sources: FIFA Official
