Swope Park Rangers midfielder Kevin Oliveira has been called in to the Cape Verde National Team for an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Uganda on June 10 at the Estádio Nacional de Cabo Verde in Praia, Cape Verde.
The game marks Cape Verde’s opening to qualification for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, where the side will battle with Uganda, Tanzania and Lesotho to advance out of Group L. The June 10 matchup is the only qualification game Cape Verde will play in 2017, with the remaining five contests taking place in 2018.
Oliveira, 20, has made six appearances for the Rangers this season, tallying two goals and one assist from central midfield. Oliveira made a dazzling start to his SPR career in 2016, scoring three goals and setting up four others in 13 games before suffering a torn ACL last June that ended his season. He returned to the field in the 1-0 victory over Sacramento Republic FC on April 15, 2017.
Last season, Oliveira was the sole Swope Park Rangers player to be named USL Player of the Week when he scored once and assisted on three goals as the Rangers topped Rio Grande Valley FC 4-0 on June 8, 2016. In August, over a month after his season was curtailed through injury, Oliveira was named second in the USL’s 20-Under-20 list that ranks the top young talent in the league.
Oliveira, who joined the Rangers in early 2016 from Portuguese side Benfica, has previously represented Cape Verde at the youth level and spent time in camp with the senior team in 2015. Today’s inclusion marks the first time Oliveira has been called up for a competitive match.
The Swope Park Rangers are back in action this weekend with a road game against league-leading San Antonio FC at Toyota Field on Saturday, June 3 at 7:30 p.m. CT. The Rangers will return home on Sunday, June 11 at 4 p.m. CT for a showdown against regional rivals Tulsa Roughnecks FC at Children’s Mercy Victory Field in Swope Soccer Village, with tickets available via SeatGeek or at the box office on gameday.
