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Antoine Semenyo, a Manchester City forward, has expressed his admiration for Cape Verde's impressive performance in the 2026 World Cup. Despite the many people being surprised by the island nation's breakthrough, Semenyo was not shocked, as he had already seen them compete at a high level during the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations. The success of the nine African teams advancing to the knockout stages, including Morocco's quarterfinal appearance, has elevated Africa's standing in the world of soccer.

During an interview at Hong Kong Football Festival, Semenyo highlighted that playing against Cape Verde in 2022 made him realize just how good their team was. The 26-year-old Ghanaian forward played every minute of Ghana's 2026 World Cup campaign and scored 17 league goals in the Premier League that season, surpassing the record previously held by his childhood idol Tony Yeboah.

Born to Ghanaian parents, Semenyo's journey to the top is unique, having bypassed the traditional youth academy route to achieve success in professional soccer. He credits his strength, pace, and love for Ghana, which he represents at both club and country levels, for his accomplishments. As Manchester City prepares for a new season with manager Enzo Maresca, Semenyo expressed his confidence in the team's ability to compete for domestic and European trophies under the new coach.