José Semedo (footballer, born 1979)


José Filipe Correia Semedo is a Cape Verdean footballer who plays for C.F. Benfica as a forward.

Club career

Born in Lisbon, Portugal, Semedo started his senior career with local amateurs C.F. Benfica, signing for neighbouring Odivelas F.C. in 2001. After stellar performances with the latter in the third division, he attracted attention from Primeira Liga clubs, eventually joining Rio Ave FC. In his first appearance in the competition, on 24 August 2008, he scored in a 1–1 home draw against S.L. Benfica.
Semedo moved to Cyprus in January 2009, teaming up with several Portuguese players at APOP Kinyras FC. In May 2010, after two solid seasons – including 22 First Division goals in the 2009–10 campaign, competition best – he stayed in the country, signing with cup holders Apollon Limassol.
On 7 September 2013, Semedo joined Albanian Superliga side KF Tirana on a free transfer. He made his debut for the club on 29 September, playing 55 minutes in a 2–0 away defeat to KF Teuta Durrës. He scored his first goal of the season four days later, in a 1–0 victory over KS Kastrioti in which his team returned to winning ways after three consecutive losses; late into the month, in another game that finished with the same scoreline, he netted against KF Bylis Ballsh at Selman Stërmasi Stadium.
In December 2013, Semedo made his Albanian Cup debut with Tirana, appearing in a two-legged tie against KF Lushnja and featuring respectively 80 and 44 minutes in an eventual second round exit. He was released in the winter transfer window, scoring twice in 11 competitive appearances.

International career

Although Portuguese-born, Semedo opted to represent Cape Verde internationally, starting in the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying stage. His debut occurred on 11 October 2008 in that competition, and he scored in a 1–3 loss in Tanzania.
Two years later, on 24 May 2010, Semedo won his second and last cap, against his birth country Portugal, coming on as a 25th-minute substitute in a goalless draw in Covilhã.

International goals

#DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.11 October 2008Benjamin Mkapa, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania1–21–32010 World Cup qualification

Honours

APOP
Apollon Limassol