- The forward shaped to cross the ball before rifling effort into the back of the net
- Goalkeeper Hernani Siluane was out of position and could have done better
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An unrecognisable Manchester United flop scored a sensational long-range free kick to give Cape Verde the lead against Mozambique at the African Cup of Nations on Friday.
The goal put his side on the verge of qualification for the knockout stages of the tournament, with the country securing a surprise win over Ghana in their opening game of the competition.
Bebe, who is now 33 and plays his club football in Spain with Rayo Vallecano, appeared set to cross the ball from around 40 yards, with goalkeeper Hernani Siluane seemingly preparing for a delivery into the box.
It soon became clear that he was actually shooting, with Siluane out of position and on his line, not expecting an effort on goal.
He appeared to sell the ball late, with the strike rifling into the back of the net despite the efforts of the goalkeeper, though it seemed a reasonably simple save to make.
A Manchester United flop has scored a sensational long-range effort at the African Cup of Nations
He shaped to cross the ball from distance, but instead shot, leaving the goalkeeper out of position
Hernani Siluane was unable to keep the effort out despite it seemingly being straight at him
Siluane’s team-mates looked on bewildered as the Black Bulls goalkeeper was left to pick the ball out of the net following the goal.
Bebe, who made seven appearances for United in four years at the club between 2010 and 2014, wheeled away in celebration, chased by his team-mates as Cape Verde fans celebrated in the crowd.
‘Loll, Bebe has scored a hilarious goal from about 30 yards or something,’ one fan said on X after the strike. ‘The goalkeeper there was entertaining.’
‘I think the goalkeeper is facing the sun,’ another said.
A third added: ‘Mozambique goalkeeper saw a ghost from that shot.’
Bebe joined United in a peculiar transfer from Vitoria, signing as a 20-year-old for £7.4million.
He scored just one goal for the club in his four-year stay, having been shipped out on loan to Besiktas, Rio Ave and Pacos Ferreira before making a permanent £2.4millon transfer to Benfica in 2014.
He once again spent time on loan, turning out for the likes of Cordoba and Rayo Vallecano before joining the Spanish side permanently in 2018.
He spent the second half of last season on loan with Zaragoza, but is now back in Spain. Born in Portugal, he qualifies to play for Cape Verde through his parents.
