Anibal Capela

Sporting Covilha

Player to Watch

Anibal Capela is one of the better known names in the world of young Portuguese players. Anibal’s primary position is in the center of defense, although he is adept at playing on either side of the defense. Like Dani Coelho, he has been loaned this season by Braga to Sporting Covilha.

Anibal shot to prominence in late 2010 when, at the age of 19, when he started a match for Braga against Beira-Mar. By that point, the defender had already appeared for the Portugal Under-20 team, and looked to be an asset for Braga for years to come. A little over a month after his debut for Braga, Anibal started, and played 90 minutes, in the team’s Champion’s League group stage match against Shakhtar Donetsk. Although the team lost, Anibal put in an admirable personal performance.

This season, at Sporting Covilha, Anibal has continued his form, and thus grown his reputation. Already having appeared in 11 league matches this season, it came as no surprise when Anibal was earned a cal-up from Portuguese Under-21 coach Rui Jorge. Anibal is already firmly established in the youth national teams in Portugal. He was a part of the U-20 squad at last summer’s Toulon Tournament, and would have been an integral part of the team at the following U-20 World Cup, if he had not been injured.

Anibal Capela is a certainty for the Braga first team in seasons to come. Already established as a star for the future, along with the likes of Nuno Reis and Roderick Miranda, Anibal’s future looks bright.