Pico Lopes on today’s Irish clash at the AFCON: ‘Chris Hughton has always been someone I’ve held in such high regard’

Pico Lopes and Chris Hughton will come face to face in Abidjan on Sunday evening

Pico Lopes and Chris Hughton will come face to face in Abidjan on Sunday evening Credit: Peter Fitzpatrick and Jamie O'Sullivan

On the second day of the African Cup of Nations, two Irishmen will come face to face in the Ivory Coast. Crumlin native Pico Lopes will be playing for Cape Verde - the country of his Dad Carlos – against a Ghana side managed by Chris Hughton.

In 1979 Hughton became the first black player to line out for the Republic of Ireland as he represented the land of his mother Christine.

Going on to win over 50 caps with the Boys in Green, his post-playing career included a spell as assistant manager to Brian Kerr with Ireland and three managerial spells in the English Premier League (Newcastle, Norwich and Brighton) – a record for a black manager – and he now is the Head Coach of Ghana – the country of his father Willie.

Speaking on the eve of the game to Shamrock Rovers TV, Lopes spoke about coming up against Hughton’s Ghana team on Sunday night.

“Chris Hughton has always been someone I’ve held in such high regard,” said Lopes. “He is someone I admired growing up. I'm looking forward to shaking his hand before or maybe after the game. I don't think I'll be saying too much beforehand!

"It will be great to share the match with him and it will great to get a word with him after the game.”

In the tournament the top two teams qualify out of each of the six groups, along with four of the six third placed sides.

With Cape Verde finishing their three group games against one the AFCON favourites Egypt, the Blue Sharks will very much be focussing on picking up points against Ghana today (kick 0ff 8pm) before they switch their focus to Friday’s game against Mozambique.

“We expect a really tough game. Ghana are an incredibly strong nation in Africa and have been over the years with huge players like Michael Essian, the Ayew brothers and the star now in (West Ham United’s) Mohammad Kudos. He seems to be the main attacking threat.



“They can hurt you from so many angles - they've got really good attacking plyers who can run in behind and have ball carriers running at you. We are expecting a tough game but they are all going to be tough at the AFCON.

Open tournament

“Morocco is one team that you can't overlook after their performances in the World Cup (reaching the semi-finals). You can't look past the hosts Ivory Coast either - they have a strong squad.

"It is a real open tournament as there are a lot of quality teams like Senegal, Egypt, Cameroon, Ivory Coast and Morocco. It could be anyone - it could be Cape Verde!”

Last time out, Lopes was part of the Blue Sharks team that made the last 16 where they were defeated by eventual champions Senegal.

“The last tounament we felt there was more in us and we were only really getting going before there was sickness (in the squad). Senegal were a fantastic team and went on to win it.



"Our goal is to progress further than last time but we can't look past the first game. We have to try and get our first points on the board and try and get out of your group before you can look to far ahead.”

Lopes, who is expected to skipper Shamrock Rovers this season, is looking forward to playing in front of a large Ghana crowd on Sunday night, with fans being able to travel easily into neighbouring Ivory Coast for the game.

“It was one the things that Covid sort of killed in the last tournament. The atmosphere was incredible but they had to cap the capacity of most of the stadiums at 50%. Cameroon had 80% being the host nation and we were lucky to play against them in the group.

“That was an incredible experience so to have the fans have full access, we hope to be playing in packed out stadiums. The atmosphere that the African fans bring is unbelievable so I'm really looking forward to it and will embrace all that.” 

About Macdara Ferris

Macdara Ferris is a contributor since 2007 to Hoops Scene (Shamrock Rovers' match day programme) and is the co-author of two books on Shamrock Rovers - 'Tallaght Time: Shamrock Rovers 2009 to 2012' (with Karl … View Full Profile