Kuala Lumpur: The Harimau Malaya squad has been urged to exercise caution in their upcoming Tier 1 international friendlies against Cape Verde, following revelations that information regarding the national team’s capabilities has purportedly been acquired by the African side.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Cape Verde’s head coach, Pedro Brito, acknowledged that Alvin Fortes, a Selangor FC import player who is part of the Cape Verde squad, has provided insights into the Malaysian national team to The Blue Sharks’ coaching staff. Brito stated, “We have players who play in several countries, and we are happy to have players who are currently playing in Malaysia. Of course, he (Fortes) shared some information about football and the Malaysian national team. However, our focus remains on our own preparation for tomorrow’s match and also the upcoming matches,” during a pre-match press conference.

The Malaysian national team, ranked 131st globally, is set to compete against the 72nd ranked Cape Verde twice. The first match is scheduled for tomorrow night at Kuala Lumpur Football Stadium, Cheras, with a subsequent closed-door match at Bukit Jalil National Stadium on June 3.

Despite acknowledging the potential challenges, Brito expressed his enthusiasm for facing Malaysia for the first time. He noted, “The ranking is not a guarantee of easy matches. Our focus is on managing the challenges that lie ahead. We have also brought in some young players who are joining the team for the first time.”

Brito emphasized the importance of these matches for Cape Verde, a smaller nation, as they seek to gain international experience. He highlighted that this is a crucial step in preparing the team for the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers.