Cape Verde will take five new players to New Zealand for the FIFA series tournament this month as they prepare for their debut appearance at the World Cup later this year.
Coach Bubista has named American-based goalkeeper Carlos dos Santos, defender Jorginho Soares, midfielder Jordan Mendes and Ayoni Santos, and the striker, xx, in the squad for matches against Chile in Auckland on March 27 and Finland, also at Eden Park, three days later.
Philadelphia-born goalkeeper Dos Santos, 25, started two matches for Inter Miami over the last two Major League Soccer seasons but moved to San Diego this year.
Dutch-born defender Soares previously played in the second division in the Netherlands with Telstar and Emmen but moved to Bulgaria at the start of the new season.
The 22-year-old Mendes, who is French-born, has been a consistent presence for Rodez as they chase promotion to Ligue 1 this season, while Ayoni Santos is in his fourth season at Sparta Rotterdam in the Dutch league despite only being 20 years old. He helped them win promotion to the Eredivisie last season.
Angola-born Ieltsin Camões, who moved from Norway to Al Ahly in Egypt in January, is the other newcomer.
Injury has ruled out influential midfielder Jamiro Monteiro, while 37-year-old defender Stopira, who first debuted for Cape Verde in 2008, has been left out.
Logan Costa has returned to training at his Spanish club Villarreal but is not yet ready to play with Cape Verde, hoping he will be fit for the World Cup.
Cape Verde take on Spain, Uruguay, and Saudi Arabia in Group H at the World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and U.S in June.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Carlos dos Santos (San Diego, USA), Márcio Rosa (Montana 1921, Bulgaria), Vozinha (Chaves, Portugal)
Defenders: Sidny Cabral (Benfica, Portugal), Diney Borges (Al Bataeh, United Arab Emirates), Djack Pires (SJK Seinäjoki, Finland),
Roberto Lopes (Shamrock Rovers, Ireland), Steven Moreira (Columbus Crew, USA), Wagner Pina (Trabzonspor, Turkey), Jorginho Soares (Montana 1921, Bulgaria)
Midfielders: Deroy Duarte (Ludogorets, Bulgaria), Laros Duarte (Puskás Akadémia, Hungary), João Paulo Fernandes (Oțelul Galați, Romania), Kevin Pina (FK Krasnodar, Russia), Jordan Mendes (Rodez, France), Ayoni Santos (Sparta Rotterdam, Netherlands),Yannick Semedo (Farense, Portugal), Telmo Arcanjo (Vitória Guimarães, Portugal)
Forwards: Benchimol (Akron Togliatti, Russia), Jovane Cabral (Estrela Amadora, Portugal), Ieltsin Camões (Al Ahly, Egypt), Daylon Livramento (Casa Pia, Portugal), Ryan Mendes (Igdir, Turkey), Nuno da Costa (Istanbul Başakşehir, Turkey), Garry Rodrigues (Apollon Limassol, Cyprus), Willy Semedo (Omonia Nicosia, Cyprus).