Cape Verde vs Liberia Player Ratings: Santos Stars As Hosts Cruise To 4-2 Win

From the very first whistle, this felt like a statement game from Cape Verde Islands. They came out aggressive, pinned Liberia back, and never really let them breathe. We noticed early that Liberia’s back line looked nervous on set pieces and, as the goals started flying in, that anxiety only deepened.

Ayoni Santos’ opener set the tone, a ruthless finish that lifted the entire Cabo Verde side. Liberia did briefly punch back through Franklin Nyenetue, but their defensive structure collapsed almost immediately after the equaliser. From our perspective, this Africa Cup of Nations Qualifications clash turned into a set‑piece masterclass from the hosts, while Liberia chased shadows and moments of individual inspiration.

What stood out to us most was how cleverly Cabo Verde manipulated the half-spaces, with Ryan Mendes and Djé repeatedly finding pockets around the visitors’ midfield. Liberia’s pressing lacked coordination, and their full-backs were constantly dragged into impossible decisions. By the time the second half settled, the 4-2 scoreline felt almost inevitable, even if Liberia honestly showed flashes of quality going forward. Check out the Cape Verde vs Liberia player ratings.

Liberia National Football Team Player Ratings vs Cape Verde Islands

Have a look at the Liberia national football team player ratings from the Cape Verde vs Liberia player ratings.

Goalkeeper

Ashley Williams - 5: Williams never looked settled before his early withdrawal. His distribution under pressure was hesitant and sometimes panicked. We noticed him retreating deep onto his line for crosses, which invited more pressure. Though the defending in front of him was chaotic, he did not command his box. Conceding three before half-time forced the change, and it felt justified.

Derrick Julu - 6.5: Julu came on at half-time and immediately brought more calm. His big save from Livramento at 54 minutes kept Liberia faintly alive. We liked his willingness to come for high balls, even with limited protection. Still, his kicking was inconsistent, and a few clearances went straight back to Cabo Verde. Overall he showed promise in a very tough situation.

Defenders

Arago Jamal - 5.5: Jamal had some composed moments on the ball but struggled defensively. We noticed his positioning on crosses was often half a step too deep. That invited Cabo Verde’s attackers to attack the space in front of him. He did chip in with a couple of interceptions and one strong block. However, conceding four while rarely looking in control drags his rating down.

Emmanuel Fully - 5.5: Fully’s game summed up Liberia’s evening, full of effort but little control. He conceded multiple corners and looked uncomfortable dealing with the back-post overloads. His headed chance on 20 minutes was a big moment, and he skied it. We appreciated his three tackles and four clearances, yet he was targeted relentlessly. From our perspective, he battled hard but lost too many key duels.

Sylvanus Nimely - 5.5: Nominally listed as a defender, Nimely played with real aggression but sometimes too much. The yellow card for a reckless challenge around the drinks break felt inevitable. On the ball, he was tidy enough and hit some decent long passes. Defensively though, his decision-making in transition was erratic. We expected more composure from someone with his experience.

Sampson Dweh - 5: As captain, Dweh had a night to forget. The error leading to a goal encapsulated Liberia’s fragile defending on set pieces. We saw him constantly gesturing and trying to organise, but his own clearances were often rushed. Conceding repeated corners down his channel piled on pressure. For a leader at the back, the line never looked secure, and that has to count against him.

Midfielders

N. Kenneh - 6.5: Kenneh tried to drag Liberia up the pitch and never hid. He won plenty of duels in midfield and even pushed forward for a late shot from distance at 90 minutes. We noticed how often he checked over his shoulder, trying to plug gaps everywhere. His passing was simple but mostly reliable under heavy pressure. In a beaten side, he was one of the more credible performers.

Solomon Tweh - 6: Tweh had a strangely mixed game. At times he recycled possession neatly and found wide runners. At other moments, he was caught in possession or forced into cheap fouls, including the handball just before half-time. His headed chance on 51 minutes really should have been on target from that range. From our perspective, he worked hard but never really controlled the tempo.

Franklin Nyenetue - 7: Nyenetue was Liberia’s brightest spark until his injury. His equaliser on 36 minutes was taken with real composure, a sharp movement and an assured finish. We liked his direct running, always looking to attack the space behind Cabo Verde’s defence. He also created a chance for Teah just before the break, which was blocked. Losing him changed Liberia’s attacking threat considerably, so he remains their highest-rated outfield player.

Edward Ledlum - 6: Ledlum was busy and often involved, but his end product fluctuated. He did supply a clever pass to set up one of Teah’s blocked efforts. However, 17 times losing possession is simply too much in a game like this. We noticed him drifting inside and leaving space behind, which Cabo Verde sometimes exploited. His work rate was fine, yet he lacked clarity in key moments.

Forwards

Divine Teah - 6.5: Teah was always at the heart of Liberia’s threats. He saw several shots blocked, showing he consistently found shooting positions around the box. His delivery from set pieces caused some chaos, including Tweh’s second-half header. At times though, he forced things and turned into traffic. From our perspective, he was dangerous but not quite decisive, which mirrors Liberia’s overall performance.

Ayouba Kosiah - 7: Kosiah put in a real shift up front in tough conditions. We were impressed by how often he won fouls and gave his team breathing space. His movement along the left channel asked questions of Cabo Verde’s back line. The big regret is his missed chance on 80 minutes, which he flashed just wide. Still, his hold-up play and duels won justify a strong rating despite the scoreline.

Substitutes

Prince Martor - 5.5: Martor entered with energy but struggled to turn it into clear chances. He was caught offside quickly after coming on, which hinted at his eagerness to run in behind. Unfortunately, he also gave away a couple of cheap fouls that broke Liberia’s rhythm. We hardly saw him combine meaningfully with Kosiah. It felt like a substitution that never quite clicked.

Jimmy Farkarlun - 5: Farkarlun’s cameo was mainly notable for his yellow card in stoppage time. He flew into challenges with enthusiasm but little control, conceding unnecessary fouls. On the ball he had few touches and made limited impact. From our perspective, he seemed more focused on physical battles than on structure. Not a disastrous cameo, but certainly not helpful either.

William Gibson - 6: Thrown on due to Nyenetue’s injury, Gibson tried to replicate his direct running. He drew a couple of fouls and offered width on the left. However, the game state by then favoured Cabo Verde’s counter-attacks, not Liberia’s build-up. We noticed him working hard defensively, tracking back to help his full-back. Overall, he contributed effort but lacked a defining moment.

Mark Pabai - 6.5: Pabai actually added a nice spark from the flank. His cross for Kosiah’s big chance at 80 minutes was excellent. Defensively he held his side reasonably well and showed good recovery pace. We liked how confidently he stepped into midfield with the ball. For a late substitute, he made a meaningful positive impact.

Manager

M. Erradi - 5.5: From our perspective, Erradi’s game plan never really protected his fragile back line. Liberia’s zonal marking on corners was repeatedly exposed, yet tactical adjustments came too late. The decision to start with such an open midfield against a fluid Cabo Verde side looked risky. His substitutions added energy but not structural solidity. He will know this 4-1 loss raises serious questions about the team’s defensive organisation.

Cape Verde National Football Team Player Ratings vs Liberia

Here are the Cape Verde national football team player ratings from the Cape Verde vs Liberia player ratings.

Goalkeeper

Vozinha - 6.5: Vozinha had a relatively calm evening behind a dominant defence. He could do little about Nyenetue’s precise finish. What we liked was his clean, simple distribution and willingness to play short when possible. He claimed one dangerous cross confidently, easing pressure. Overall, he did everything required without ever needing heroics.

Defenders

Diney Borges - 7.5: Diney quietly produced one of the most complete performances on the pitch. He read Liberia’s long balls superbly and dominated aerially with four headers won. His passing from the back, including seven long balls, consistently broke lines. We noticed how often he stepped in front of Kosiah at just the right moment. Apart from one handball, his defensive timing was excellent, making him a key pillar in the backline.

Logan Costa - 6.5: Costa played the balancing role next to Diney and did it solidly. He kept his passing simple and rarely took risks, which suited the flow of the match. Liberia rarely got joy through the middle when he was set. One or two fouls and an aerial loss aside, he looked composed. From our perspective, a quietly effective outing.

João Paulo - 7: João Paulo lived high up the pitch and gave Liberia headaches with his forward runs. His delivery from wide areas was dangerous, highlighted by the assist for Djé’s header in the 38th minute. Defensively, he had a couple of shaky moments, but his attacking value outweighed that. We noticed his willingness to overlap repeatedly, even late in the half. Overall, he was a key outlet on that flank.

Sidny Lopes Cabral - 5.5: Cabral struggled in the first half and was rightly substituted at the break. He gave away multiple fouls and picked up a yellow card early. Liberia seemed to target his side and drew free kicks from his challenges. On the ball he was tidy enough, but the defensive risk was obvious. The change to Moreira felt necessary and improved Cabo Verde’s balance.

Midfielders

Ayoni Santos - 8: For us, Santos was the standout performer and arguably the highest-rated player. His early goal was a superb, clinical strike into the top corner. Beyond the finish, he pressed intelligently and intercepted passes in advanced areas. We saw him pop up between the lines, constantly asking questions of Liberia’s shape. Even after his substitution, his influence remained the blueprint for Cabo Verde’s aggressive approach. It was a performance full of energy, quality, and tactical maturity.

Deroy Duarte - 6.5: Duarte acted as the metronome in midfield, keeping things moving. His passing accuracy was excellent, and he rarely surrendered possession cheaply. The assist for a teammate and a few clever vertical balls stood out. Defensively he did just enough, screening the back four without overcommitting. From our perspective, he quietly knitted the team together.

Djé - 7.5: Djé combined industry with real penalty-box threat. His header for Cabo Verde’s second goal was all about clever movement and timing. He also fired a few efforts from range, showing confidence whenever he found space. We noticed his willingness to track back and help his full-back as well. Apart from a couple of wayward attempts, it was an excellent two-way midfield display.

Ryan Mendes - 7.5: As captain, Mendes orchestrated much of Cabo Verde’s attacking play. His cross for Livramento’s goal was perfectly weighted into a brutal corridor. He constantly drifted into half-spaces, dragging Liberian defenders out of their structure. We also saw him track back to make a key clearance, showing leadership without the ball. His body language exuded confidence, and it rubbed off on teammates.

Hélio Varela - 7: Varela’s work off the ball was superb, even if he missed a big chance. He pressed aggressively, won several duels, and earned useful fouls. His late header wide at 82 minutes should probably have been buried. Still, he helped stretch Liberia horizontally with his runs from midfield. From our perspective, he gave the side constant energy and vertical threat.

Forwards

Dailon Livramento - 7.5: Livramento’s header for the 3-1 goal was a classic striker’s finish. He timed his leap perfectly and guided the ball into the corner with control. We also noticed his physical presence unsettled Liberia’s centre-backs. He drew fouls, battled for aerials, and forced Julu into a fine save. Overall, his movement in the box made him a constant danger.

Substitutes

Steven Moreira - 6.5: Moreira’s introduction at half-time steadied Cabo Verde’s right side. He immediately offered more composure than Cabral in possession. His shot from distance on 49 minutes showed attacking ambition. More importantly, he defended his channel better and conceded fewer silly fouls. We felt the team looked more balanced after his entrance.

Jamiro Monteiro - 6.5: Monteiro slotted into midfield and kept Cabo Verde ticking late on. His crossing from set pieces nearly led to another goal for Djé. He drew fouls in advanced areas, allowing his side to manage the game. On the ball he was calm, rarely giving it away. A smart, professional cameo that helped close the contest.

Laros Duarte - 6: Duarte added energy and fresh legs on the flank. He delivered a teasing ball that set up Varela’s late headed chance. Defensively he was a little rash, conceding a foul or two. We saw him pressing high and forcing hurried clearances though. Overall, he contributed positively without really stealing the spotlight.

Derensili Sanches Fernandes - 6: Fernandes had limited time but carried out his defensive duties. He committed one foul that broke up a Liberian move, taking a smart tactical risk. In possession he kept it simple, mostly recycling sideways. We didn’t see enough to judge his attacking quality. Still, he helped Cabo Verde see out the final minutes comfortably.

Ieltsin Camões - 6: Camões came on late for Livramento to add fresh legs up top. He pressed the Liberian back line and helped force a couple of rushed clearances. One conceded corner aside, he did not put a foot badly wrong. From our perspective, he simply maintained the intensity rather than changing the game. A tidy, unremarkable cameo.

Manager

H. Bettencourt - 7.5: Bettencourt got his game plan spot on from the opening minutes. Cabo Verde overloaded wide areas and ruthlessly exploited Liberia’s weaknesses at set pieces. The half-time switch replacing Cabral with Moreira was proactive and improved the team’s balance. We noticed how structured their pressing remained even at 3-1. His side looked drilled, confident, and fully in control of this important Africa Cup of Nations Qualifications clash.