Cape Verde head coach Bubista has resigned after six years in charge of the national team to become manager of Moroccan champions RS Berkane.
The 56-year-old’s departure comes after he led Cape Verde to the knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup for the first time in the country’s history.
Cape Verde progressed to the Round of 32 at the tournament before losing 3-2 after extra time to Argentina, who went on to finish as runners-up.
Bubista’s spell with the Blue Sharks also included a run to the quarter-finals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. That achievement, alongside Cape Verde’s historic World Cup campaign, established him as one of the most successful coaches in the nation’s history.
He has agreed a two-year contract with RS Berkane, taking over from Moin Chaabani. Chaabani recently left the Moroccan club after being appointed Tunisia’s new head coach.
The Cape Verde Football Federation paid tribute to Bubista following his decision to step down, recognising his dedication and contribution during his time with the national side. The federation also wished him success in the next stage of his coaching career.
Bubista now moves into club football with RS Berkane, one of Africa’s leading sides. The club won the Moroccan league title last season and has established itself as a regular contender in CAF inter-club competitions.
His appointment brings an end to a six-year period in which Cape Verde made significant progress on the international stage. The team’s appearance in the knockout phase of the 2026 FIFA World Cup marked a first for the country, while the quarter-final run at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations added another notable achievement.
The World Cup campaign ended in a closely contested match against Argentina. Cape Verde were eventually beaten 3-2 in extra time, with Argentina later finishing as runners-up in the competition.
At RS Berkane, Bubista will replace a coach who has moved into international management and begin a new two-year chapter with the reigning Moroccan champions. The club’s league success last season and continued involvement in CAF inter-club competitions mean he will take charge of a side operating among Africa’s leading clubs.
For Cape Verde, his resignation closes one of the most successful coaching periods in the national team’s history. For Bubista, it marks a move from guiding the Blue Sharks to a senior club role with RS Berkane, with his World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations achievements forming the central legacy of his international tenure.
