Fidel Mendonca closes curtains on national team career

 

PRAIA - Fidel Mendonca has experienced a bit of everything with the Cape Verdean uniform on, and almost two decades since he first suited up for the Blue Sharks, he is out... For good, he argues.

Mendonca has announced his retirement from the national team, a month after Cape Verde's maiden appearance at the FIBA Basketball World Cup in Okinawa, Japan.

A decent three-point shooter, Mendonca was cut of Cape Verde's final roster for the 2007 FIBA AfroBasket in Angola, although he stayed with the team throughout the tournament. It was just the beginning of what would be a long and successful national team career, he later admitted. 

Fidel Mendonca is seen on the far right of the bottom row during his AfroBasket debut in 2009 in Libya 

"I felt I could be part of that team [2007], but, more importantly it was a learning experience for me. It was my first experience with African basketball," he said in an interview with Cape Verde's RTC.

He cheered on his teammates from the sidelines as Cape Verde finished third, which was the country's best result in the AfroBasket history.

Nevertheless, Mendonca went on to appear at three editions of the AfroBasket in 2009, 2015 and 2021; He played in all 12 World Cup Africa Qualifiers games and never missed a call-up when his country needed him.

Fidel Mendonca celebrates with Walter Tavares after Cape Verde's win over Venezuela in Okinawa

As he reflects on his career, the 39-year-old shooting guard reveals a sense of mission accomplished.

"After 17 years playing for the national team I thought it was the right time of closing a cycle. It's now time for me to embrace new projects," Mendonca said.

"After the World Cup, it's time to reflect on what was done, and, as the team captain, I am leading by example. I have been part of every national team competition. It's time to give younger players some space in the national team."

Mendonca's first world appearance with Cape Verde came during the 2008 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Athens, where the islanders finished 0-2 after losses to New Zealand and a Dirk Nowtzki-led Germany.

But playing at the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup, Mendonca says, it was something else.

"The World Cup is a dream that I had never dreamt about. It was one of the best experiences in my life. It was a special moment for me as a basketball player. Playing against the best player [Luka Doncic] in the competition; facing the home team and contribute to Cape Verde’s first-ever  win in the World Cup, was remarkable," Mendonca insisted.

Asked to reflect on the future of Cape Verde's basketball, Mendonca couldn't be any confident.

He said: "Over the past few years we saw how bright the future of Cape Verde basketball is. During national team training camps some young players showed how good they can be, and that’s reassuring. "

The smallest to ever participate in the FIBA World Cup, Cape Verdeans from all corners of the world travelled to Okinawa to support their heroes, and Mendonca acknowledged that they played a significant part in their win against Venezuela. 

"We have never expected to have so many Cape Verde fans in Okinawa. It was incredible to feel the love and warmth from our people supporting us thousands of miles away from home. They motivated us in bad and good moments."

Fidel Mendonca

What does the future holds for Mendonca? "One thing I’m certain of is that I will be involved in sports, and basketball in particular. I'll do my best to give my contribution and share my career experience with younger generations. It's time to give back everything I have learned throughout my career," he emphasized. 

FIBA