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From Nick Mulvaney

Miami, June 21 (Reuters Sports Service) - Cape Verde coach Bobesta hopes his team's quest to prove they can compete at the World Cup will inspire underdog teams across Africa to believe that there are no limits to their dreams.

The team went a long way in proving their point when, in their first World Cup appearance, they put on a superb defensive performance to secure a goalless draw against European champions Spain last Monday.

On Sunday, the team faces Uruguay, the South American powerhouse, at Miami Stadium, seeking to maintain its course towards achieving its goal of reaching the knockout stages from Group H.

"We represent not only Cape Verde, but also Africa, with all the problems that our continent is suffering from," Bobicetta said on Saturday.

He added, "If a country like ours can achieve this dream and come here to compete with the best teams in the world, it means that any child in Africa... can dream this dream."

"The goal is for this dream to help them believe in their ability to achieve any goal."

Bobesta added that his team's participation in the World Cup also aims to put Cape Verde, not only those born in the islands but also those in the diaspora, firmly on the world map.

He continued, "We spent many years working, researching, and striving to make our country known to the world."

He continued, "You can see how happy our people are everywhere thanks to what the national team has achieved."

"But more importantly, our national team embodies our identity: organization, striving to achieve goals even when we realize how difficult they are, and fighting to achieve them with character and determination."

Bobicta said the players were confident in the strategies that kept Spain from scoring goals, but indicated the team would seek to play a little more offensively against Uruguay and in their final group game against Saudi Arabia.

"We would have liked to offer more offensively, but we have to be aware of Spain's level," he said.

He added, "It's clear that we feel we can offer more offensively, and we will try to do that in the next two matches."

The result of the Spain match sparked a huge wave of support and interest in the Cape Verde team, especially Vozinha, the best player in the match.

The 40-year-old goalkeeper gained millions of Instagram followers overnight, and his tears after the match because his mother wasn't at the stadium to witness the biggest moment of his life sparked tremendous sympathy.

This wave of support prompted the U.S. State Department to act, allowing Vozinia's mother to arrive in Miami on Friday well before Sunday's game.

Bobicta said he was not worried that all the external noise during the week had been a distraction for his players.

He added, "We are pleased with this impact because we have shown, above all, that nothing is impossible."

He continued, "We, as a team, are extremely focused. We are very calm. We know that we must be 200 percent focused. Our team is very united and very enthusiastic."