Vinha


Alves Nilo Marcos Lima Fortes, commonly known as Vinha, is a Cape Verdean retired footballer who played as a centre forward.

Football career

Born in Praia, Vinha arrived in Portugal and nearly 22, starting with lowly Atlético Clube de Portugal. After two seasons he moved to the Primeira Liga with S.C. Salgueiros, being an important attacking unit in the Porto side's domestic consolidation.
Vinha's solid performances attracted attention from local FC Porto, and soon after a callup – which did not materialize – to the Portugal national team. During his sole season he featured little, but still managed to contribute with four league goals as the club finished second to S.L. Benfica and won the Taça de Portugal; previously, in the Portuguese Supercup that opened the new campaign, he netted against the same rival in an eventual aggregate triumph.
In the 1994 summer, Vinha returned to Salgueiros for a further four seasons, always in the top division. After failing to score in his last year, from 20 games, he moved to the lower leagues after a brief spell in the second level with F.C. Paços de Ferreira, retiring in 2001 at F.C. Tirsense.
Vinha faded into obscurity upon retiring, also working as a stand employee at Exponor, a cultural exposition and forum center in Leça da Palmeira.