BIG TIME. Sandra Martins’ 1,300 mile journey for Cape Verde

London Bees’ Number Nine, Sandra Martins, currently plays in the FA Women’s National League fourth tier, in South-East Division One.

But the 26-year-old striker also stars for Cape Verde, and saw a dream come true when she was called up to play for her nation making their debut at WAFCON – the Women’s African Cup of Nations – when it finally happened in Morocco.

Martins talks exclusively to The New Women’s Sport Magazine about her experience some 1,300 miles from home, and also about the new season for an ambitious London Bees side, who are aiming for promotion under head coach Dan McKimm.

We spoke before a rainy training session, wedged in between the Bees’ two solid opening victories, home and away. This is our conversation in full…

How did it feel when you were first called up for Cape Verde?

Sandra Martins: It felt great because I know that was something my parents, my brothers, my whole family really wanted.

So, I was like: oh, everyone, I’ve been called up… and mum, you know, I’ve been called up!

It was amazing, everyone was really happy, and I was obviously delighted.

Was it last year – 2025 – when you were first called up?

Yeah, the first time I got called up was to go play against Mali.

I don’t remember the date, but I think it was October, maybe earlier, that was the first time.

The funny thing about WAFCON was it was meant to happen much earlier this year, and you were probably ready to get on the plane. Then it was postponed, a few days before…

It’s ridiculous, yeah.

Something like 10 days.

So, were you ready with your suitcases and everything?

I was!

I was pretty much waiting for the logistics thing to send out our flights and all sorts of information.

Because we were seeing online that a lot of teams had gone for friendlies and stuff like that.

So okay, ours is happening too…

And then, they were like: we don’t have the full confirmation, we also don’t know what’s going on.

So, they were also waiting for CAF and there was a lot of delay and everyone, all the players, were like: what’s going on?

Everyone was pretty much ready.

But in a sense, I think it worked out best for us.

How did it feel when you finally got to Morocco and started to train and get ready for the matches?

I was like, oh my God, this is actually happening.

I’m actually here.

It felt good. You know, waking up with the girls and having breakfast together. And then going to train together, and say: okay, we are in business, now we’re here.

We were focused on one target, which is obviously just to play well and then whatever happens, happens.

It felt surreal.

But it also felt like: okay, you need to lock in.

Was there extra pressure because Cape Verde’s men had done well in the World Cup?

Oh, yeah.

Yeah, there was a lot of pressure not in a sense of us pushing ourselves, but as a player you also want to represent your country well in the same way the other players – especially the men – did, so there’s a certain responsibility there.

But to be fair the captain and all the girls were like: guys, realistically, no pressure.

This is our first WAFCON.

Someone mentioned that the men took 30 odd years to get to that position [in the World Cup].

This is our first year.

It obviously it’s a different game, but we’ll go, and we’ll do our best.

And whatever comes from that, that’s what’s going to be.

So that’s the main mentality we tried to stay in.

Obviously, sometimes you get fans that don’t know much about the game – especially women’s football – so they expect something when we’re not able to do that. But I think overall, there was some pressure, but I think we dealt with it fine.

Is there a pride when you pull on the shirt for the country?

Yes, of course, especially when you’re not necessarily known around the world and all of a sudden everyone knows.

You’re like, yes, I’m Cape Verde! Finally, everyone knows us.

So yeah, there’s a lot of pride in that, yeah.

What did you feel was your main role in the team?

Main role, technically, or you just like overall?

Both.

Tactically, I was one of the few strikers that had more experience with certain tactical aspects of the game and I was able to exchange that with newer players, like Luriane Tavares (below, left). She’s 19 years old, quite young, so I think I was able to help her with certain aspects tactically.

But I’d say in general my role was just to help the team with morale.

Not that I was responsible – because I think everyone was responsible for that – but I was trying to make sure everyone was happy and if I could maybe be the person that could help anyone…

You know, sometimes people get homesick and whatnot. And I tried to be there for them.

Actually, I’ll tell you what… my role was to be the translator for Alivia Kelly (below, right)!

She’s from the States and her family’s from Fogo Island, but she didn’t understand much Kriolu – she’s getting there to be honest, she’s made a lot of improvement – but that was actually one main role for me: translating for Alivia Kelly!

Tell me about the games you played in – against Mali again and against Ghana – can you tell me a little bit about how that felt in those games?

The first game was against Ghana and there were some nerves.

I came on the second half, and I think we were able to create a little bit more.

The game overall went well, but I think what happens is sometimes we get nervous on our first few games. And I think that showed, because we progressed as the games went on, for example, we lost, I think it was 2-0 against Ghana, then we gave Mali a really good battle and we ended up losing 3-2, I believe.

And then we drew against the champions of WAFCON. Cameroon.

We’re the only team that didn’t lose against them, so that’s something!

That’s quite remarkable, isn’t it?

Yeah. When you put it like that, it is.

So, I think it was just nerves.

You know, we’re a young team.

We haven’t played together as often as much, or as often as other teams.

And I think sometimes that showed, especially when, as we mentioned, there’s a bit of pressure coming from the men.

How about playing in those enormous stadiums, they were quite dramatic, weren’t they?

Yeah, they were really nice stadiums.

I think to be fair, we got used to it a little bit.

And it was a really good experience.

In terms of the amount of people who came to support us, there were a few, maybe 20 to 30 Cape Verdeans.

I think those were people that probably lived in Morocco.

But they constantly came to the games to support us, and I think that’s quite good.

And what was it like travelling around Morocco?

It was good… getting around was okay.

Casablanca is really busy, a more metropolitan sort of city.

It was nice in… I wouldn’t say the landscape, but the structure of the city.

And obviously when, for example, you play here in England or wherever, at least in the divisions that we play in, we don’t get security at the front of the coach and the back.

But that was us pretty much every training session, every game.

So that was quite an experience for us.

We’re like: oh, we didn’t know we were big time!

Has this given you a taste for more international football?

Yes, absolutely it has.

I still am, ‘til this day, reflecting about all these small things that we have to do when you’re part of a big tournament or when you play a higher level.

It takes a lot more of your mental capacity.

Yes, you’ve got more time in your hands, but it’s also more time that you spend thinking about mistakes or the good things that you do or overall about the game.

So, you definitely need to be stronger psychologically, for sure.

Now, London Bees. Is there a pressure in being the number nine?

Some. I won’t say that it’s just the number, but yeah, there’s a certain pressure that comes with it.

Especially when previous number nines have certainly done well.

I just hope I keep making them proud.

Yeah, it’s the focal point of the team, isn’t it, number nine?

Yeah, sure. But we’ve got great players.

Again, I think nine is just a number.

Obviously, you’ve got other players like Sammy Lanza doing really well.

And do you set yourself targets at the beginning of the season?

I usually do. I think… to get least 10 goals.

That’s a good number for me usually.

Is that goals and assists?

That’s just goals.

Assists, I try to aim for four plus… but I think last season I finished with 13, although I think I’m pretty sure I could have finished on a lot more.

What about the team? What should London Bees be going for this season in the league and cup?

Yeah, at the moment we are top of the league.

I know it’s just the first game, but I’m pretty sure our aim is to stay there.

It was a really good result, wasn’t it?

Yeah, I guess, against Stevenage. Obviously, they’ve just come up, so I wouldn’t say it’s expected, but we know what this league’s about, so we’ve made the use of that knowledge.

Season on season, from your experience with London Bees, what kind of progress can you see happening within the team? In terms of the way you play, confidence…

I think the recent players that Dan has recruited have really brought good energy to the team, they’ve also brought quality, some from Tier 3, some from even a tier above.

And I think that’s what we needed, players with a bit more experience, but also confidence… a bit louder, you know, that gets the team in a good flow.

I think that’s exactly what Dan’s done.

And if you were selling the team to potential fans, why should they come to watch London Bees?

That’s a good question.

I think we’re a team that enjoys playing football.

We’ve got technical flair, we’ve got tactical flair and I think most fans are able to appreciate that.

And I think if people who want to get into football – or fans who already like football – if they can appreciate those two things, I think they would like watching us for sure.

Do you have family that come along to watch you here?

Yeah, I’ve got my mum and also my boyfriend.

Final thing, how would you describe yourself as a striker? Maybe compared to a favourite player from the past?

Ooh. I forgot the name. Some people say that I sometimes play like… what’s his name?

It starts with D. It was an old player. It ends in ov, I think.

Playing for which country?

I think Bulgaria.

[Alfie, London Bees media guy chips in] Dimitar Berbatov!

Ah, Dimitar Berbatov, he was kind of Mr. Cool.

Ha, it’s not necessarily that…

But more like the way I read the game… and I can be quite entertaining, I’d say!

Photos: Kieran Falcon/ London Bees, Sandra Martins, Helen M Jerome