Roberto Lopes: ‘It feels like I’m representing Ireland as well as Cape Verde’

Roberto Lopes says the Cape Verde squad are “willing to die for each other on the pitch’. Photograph: DeFodi Images/Getty Images

When Cape Verde kick off their Africa Cup of Nations campaign against Ghana on Sunday, Roberto Lopes will become the third League of Ireland player to participate in more than one edition of the tournament. “It’s a fantastic feeling to represent the league at the Africa Cup of Nations,” he says.

“It also feels like I am representing Ireland as well as Cape Verde. It is a real nice boost that people from back home take an interest.”