Cape Verde head coach Bubista called Friday's knockout clash against Argentina the "match of our lives" but insisted his team won't be intimidated by the defending World Cup champions. The island nation, with a population just above 500,000, reached the last 32 in their maiden World Cup appearance after drawing with Spain, Uruguay and Cape Verde during group play.
"We are calm because we earned our place here on merit and there is nothing to fear or worry too much about," Bubista told reporters at his pre-match briefing.
He acknowledged the magnitude of the upcoming encounter. "It is the match of our lives, but we are going to enjoy it and give our best," the coach added.
Argentina enter the fixture as heavy favourites to defend their crown and claim a fourth World Cup title. Lionel Messi has already scored six goals across three commanding group stage victories for the South Americans.
Yet Bubista dismissed any suggestion his players would be overawed by facing the world's top-ranked team and an eight-time Ballon d'Or recipient. "There is no other thought in our minds than trying to advance past this round," he said.
