"Honestly, I still can't believe what we've achieved," said Mendes.

We are offering the following story chosen by AFP's chief editors for our Africa Selection re-publication as among the best reporting from the sub-Saharan continent over the last fortnight

Iceland, with a population of around 340,000, became the smallest country to qualify for the global showpiece when they reached the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

The Netherlands have enjoyed plenty of World Cup success as three-time runners-up, and at next year’s finals in North America, Dutch influence could stretch well beyond their own team.

South Africa goalkeeper Ronwen Williams saved four penalties in the post-match shootout against the Cape Verde Islands to carry his country into the last four of the Africa Cup of Nations after a 0-0 draw in their quarter-final on Saturday.

Cape Verde won an AFCON knockout tie for the first time in their history as a late Ryan Mendes penalty gave them a 1-0 victory over Mauritania in Abidjan.

A hurricane with winds of up to 140km/h (85mph) has hit the island nation of Cape Verde, off the coast of West Africa.