Stopira arrived to the training camp in Austria on the first evening. He had been with the Cape Verde national team since May 23rd, and was a starter in their games against São Tomé and Príncipe in the African Nation Cup qualifiers, which was played on the 4th June. Cape Verde won 2-1 and we asked the left back about his experiences.

"It was a difficult game against São Tomé, and the weather played its part as well as the pitch. The conditions are very much different out there. It is still not certain if we will go through as only the top team will make it through to the African cup. If we can beat Libya in September, then second place will probably be ours and that could be enough. I feel that we have every chance as we won the away leg 2-1. I have not had that much time to relax due to being with the national side, but that is not a problem. I am in a good condition. Football is not only my work, but my life so I am pleased that I have linked up with the squad. I am really keen to continue the work that I have done with my country" - commented Stopira.