Coach who led Cape Verde’s World Cup fairytale steps down to join Moroccan club

Bubista, the architect behind Cape Verde’s historic run to the knockout stages of the 2026 World Cup, has officially stepped down as head coach of the Blue Sharks to take over Moroccan top-flight side RS Berkane .

The 56-year-old leaves after six years at the helm, having overseen the most successful period in the island nation’s football history. The Cape Verdean Football Federation confirmed his departure, thanking Bubista for his “dedication, professionalism, and contribution to the development of the national team’s sporting project” .

A World Cup fairytale

Bubista, whose full name is Pedro Leitão Brito, guided the Blue Sharks to their first-ever World Cup appearance in 2026 . At the finals co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, Cape Verde became the story of the tournament.

The team—representing a nation of just over half a million people—held 2010 champions Spain to a goalless draw in their opening match, with 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha producing a heroic performance . They followed that with a 2-2 draw against two-time winners Uruguay, before a goalless stalemate with Saudi Arabia secured second place in Group H and a place in the last 32 .

Their historic run ended with a narrow 3-2 defeat after extra time to eventual runners-up Argentina in the round of 32 . Despite the exit, Cape Verde’s performances captured global attention and cemented Bubista’s reputation as one of Africa’s most exciting coaching talents.

Building on AFCON success

Bubista took charge of Cape Verde in January 2020 . Under his guidance, the Blue Sharks also reached the quarter-finals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, drawing with Egypt and beating Ghana along the way .

His achievements in delivering World Cup qualification earned him the Confederation of African Football’s Coach of the Year award in 2025 .

New challenge at RS Berkane

Bubista has signed a two-year contract with RS Berkane, replacing Moin Chaabani, who departed to take charge of the Tunisian national team . The club from northeastern Morocco finished second in the Botola Pro last season and won their first domestic league title in 2024-25 .

RS Berkane are also three-time winners of the CAF Confederation Cup, Africa’s second-tier club competition, and reached the CAF Champions League semi-finals last season . The club stated that Bubista’s appointment is “part of the continuation of the club’s sporting project and the improvement of its competitive ambitions at both national and continental levels” .

The Cape Verdean Football Federation confirmed it is already working on appointing a successor to Bubista .