Mário Semedo and Donnay present a single list for the Cape Verde Football Federation

The announcement was made this afternoon, during a press conference, held in Praia, and he said that the merger of their candidacies will allow them to work in a stronger and more coordinated way for the benefit of Cape Verdean soccer.

During the presentation, Mário Semedo, the current president of the FCF, explained that the international sporting context with the World Cup starting in June in the United States, Mexico and Canada, and the women's CAN scheduled for March 2026 in Morocco, demands responsibility and continuity.

That's why he felt it was unwise to step down at such a decisive moment.

"We analyzed the whole situation and felt that it wouldn't be prudent to abandon ship, and for the sake of responsibility, and for Cape Verde, we also felt that we should go ahead with our candidacy, taking into account, above all, the responsibilities that we have at the moment," he said.

Semedo also highlighted the gesture of Donnay, who decided to give up his candidacy, saying that this attitude shows commitment to soccer and not to personal interests.

"Mário Avelino came to me, we spoke and he told me that he was going to run for the federation, but he said that he understood that this was your moment, Mário Semedo. That gesture means a lot to me," he explained.

He also guaranteed that Donnay will have a prominent role in the next Executive Committee, given his experience and dedication to the development of the sport.

"Because of his experience as a sports leader, as president of the Santiago Sul Regional Football Association, but above all because he is a person who has proven his interest in soccer (...) it is important that he plays a very important and fundamental role in the new structure of the Cape Verde Football Federation," he said.

The federation leader said that the new Executive Committee will include members of the current board and new elements considered essential to meet the internal and international challenges of Cape Verdean soccer, including participation in the World Cup, the CAN and the implementation of new projects over the next four years.

For his part, Mário Avelino "Donnay" explained that the decision to join forces was determined by a sense of responsibility and the understanding that this is not the time for structural changes.

He stressed that Cape Verde and national soccer are above any personal ambition and he doesn't want any instability to happen in soccer like the situation experienced in the Cape Verde Basketball Federation.

"That's why I gave up my candidacy, I spoke to my supporters about whether or not it was really worth continuing with the candidacy, and we think that the country is above Donnay," he said.

Donnay said that his team and Mário Semedo's will work together on a single project, stressing that the main objective is to promote Cape Verdean soccer and defend the country's interests.

Mário Semedo also said that there is an FCF electoral commission that should announce the date of the elections soon, and that he hopes they will take place this year, preferably by December.

He recalled that FIFA had been clear in demanding that the electoral process be carried out on time, rejecting any proposal to extend the mandate.

Mário Semedo was re-elected president of the Cape Verde Football Federation in 2021.

He led the Cape Verdean Football Federation for 16 years, left in 2015 and returned two years later to lead the FCF ever since.

During his presidency, Cape Verde won the Amílcar Cabral Cup in 2000, qualified for the CAN in 2013 and 2015, 2021 and 2024 and is now preparing for the first World Cup in Cape Verde's history.

Inforpress/End