Sao Tome e Principe coach Ricardo Monsanto has announced the 23-man squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Equatorial Guinea and Liberia. The island nation is determined to secure their first points in the Group H standings as they aim to qualify for the 2026 finals in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
With four consecutive losses in the campaign so far, Sao Tome faces a tough challenge ahead. They will face Equatorial Guinea on March 21 and then travel to Monrovia to take on Liberia three days later.
The squad includes the return of Edney “Vavá Pequeno” Montóia, who last played for the national team in 2019. The 31-year-old forward currently plays in the fourth tier of Portuguese football. Additionally, Nicola Bragança and Waldimison Santo have received their first call-ups, alongside striker Edson Júnior who recently made a move to Croatia.
The squad is predominantly made up of players from clubs in Croatia, England, Finland, Portugal, and Peru, with only two players representing local clubs. Striker Luís “Dola” Costa and defender Gilberto Almeida will be the home-based players in the squad.
The goalkeeping department includes Yaniel Bonfim from Celtic Castilla in Spain, Pedro Mateus from Feirense in Portugal, and Fehér Mendes from Leões do Porto Salvo in Portugal. The defensive line features Gilberto Almeida, Ricardo Fernandes, Rogério Fernandes, Edney “Vavá Pequeno” Montóia, Adjackson Ramos, Elias Varela, and Adjeil Neves.
In midfield, Nicola Bragança, Joel Neves, Waldimison Santo, Mauro Vilhete, and João Silva will be pivotal in providing creativity and stability. The forward line comprises Ricardo Cardoso, Jokceleny ‘Iniesta’ Carvalho, Luís “Dola” Costa, Edson Júnior, Luís Leal, Ronaldo Lumungo, Sérgio Malé, and Ebanilson Viegas.
As Sao Tome e Principe gear up for the crucial qualifiers, the coaching staff and players are focused on putting in their best performances to secure vital points in their quest for World Cup qualification.
