20/06/2026
Cape Verdean women have pushed back against being labelled the “Latinas of Africa,” emphasizing that they are proudly African and should be recognised for their own identity.
The discussion emerged after several World Cup-related social media posts used the term to describe Cape Verdean women, sparking widespread debate about culture, identity, and stereotypes.
Cape Verde's impressive debut at the 2026 FIFA World Cup has attracted global attention beyond football. Following their historic 0-0 draw against Spain in their opening Group H match, videos of passionate celebrations by Cape Verdean fans quickly went viral online.
However, amid the praise for the team's achievement, some posts referred to Cape Verdean women as the “Latinas of Africa,” a description that many citizens found inaccurate and offensive.
One viral post by a Nigerian social media influencer described Cape Verdean women ahead of the Spain match as “the Latinas of Africa,” generating over 52,000 likes and thousands of reactions.
The comment triggered immediate responses from Cape Verdeans, many of whom argued that the label undermines their African heritage. One woman wrote, “Cape Verdeans are not the ‘Latinas of Africa.’ We are Africans, and we are proud of it.”
Another user criticised the phrase, questioning why such a comparison was necessary in the first place.
Many contributors to the discussion acknowledged Cape Verde’s unique cultural influences, shaped by centuries of Portuguese history and Atlantic connections. Nevertheless, they argued that comparing Cape Verdeans to Latin Americans reduces a rich and distinct identity to a stereotype rather than recognising them as Africans in their own right.
The debate gained momentum shortly after Cape Verde earned one of the most memorable results in its football history by holding Spain to a goalless draw in Atlanta, further placing the island nation in the global spotlight.