Pico Lopes is deciding whether or not to stay with the Cape Verde squad as they attempt to make history on Monday. The 3-3 away draw with Libya in their penultimate 2026 World Cup qualifier on Wednesday was not enough to secure passage to the finals for the first time ever for the Blue Sharks.

But they have a last chance to finish the job on Monday, when they face Eswatini (4pm Irish time). If Cape Verde win or if they at least match Cameroon's result against Angola, Lopes and his team will be heading to the finals.

However the Shamrock Rovers skipper, who scored an OG after just 45 seconds in Tripoli, now faces a difficult decision as he was due to return to Dublin after that fixture for personal reasons.

"I'm not sure if he is going to stay or not for the second game," admitted Rovers boss Stephen Bradley. "I think he will, but I'm not sure. His wife is expecting in the coming days so he has a bit of a dilemma there. The plan was for him to come home after the game (on Wednesday). I'm not too sure where that's going to sit."

Cape Verde were denied the winner in injury time after coming back from 3-1 down, but a harsh offside decision went against them. "It was a crazy game, wasn't it," said Bradley. "So I don't know what he is going to do."

Even if Lopes returns home by Friday he won't be involved as the Hoops look to nail down their latest title success by beating reigning champs Shelbourne at Tallaght Stadium (7.45pm).

Michael Duffy's late winner for Derry City against Sligo Rovers last Sunday kept the title race alive but it is only a matter of time before the Hoops get over the line as they have a nine point advantage over the Candystripes and two games in hand.

"It's set up really well," said Bradley. "A Dublin derby at home. That will be the aim, we want to get it mathematically done as soon as possible. Tomorrow night gives us that opportunity, so that is what we will look to do."

But Bradley will be without a number of top names. Lee Grace, who is an integral part of that senior defensive axis with Lopes, remains sidelined.

Fellow defender Josh Honahan, who was called up by Ireland for the Portugal and Armenia games on Monday, also misses out through injury.

"Josh is nothing serious, it's just something we've been trying to manage for a few weeks," said Bradley. "We played Sparta, then Sunday he was really sore. He was called up (by Ireland) but the medical team rightly ruled him out. He was struggling, to be fair. He is going to miss this week."

Michael Noonan, Max Kovalevskis and Alex Noonan are on youth international duty, while Rovers' new multi-million euro Arsenal signing Victor Ozhianvuna didn't go with them because of a knock."

Bradley insists he won't change the team's formation or approach despite being without key figures. "No, we know what we do," he stated.

"Everyone knows how to do it. We'll be fine. We have players who can play in different positions. We'll be nice and calm and relaxed and do what we do."