Willy Johnson Semedo Afonso (; born 27 April 1994) is a professional footballer who plays as a winger for UAE Pro League side United FC. Born in France, he plays for the Cape Verde national team.
Club career On 31 January 2018, Semedo signed with Charleroi after a successful spell with the Cypriot club Alki Oroklini. He made his debut for the Belgium club in a 2–2 Belgian First Division A draw with K.R.C. Genk, on 13 April 2018.
On 30 August 2018, Semedo was loaned to Belgian First Division B club Roeselare, for half a season, in order for him to get more playing time. On 1 February 2019, he moved to Liga I side Politehnica Iași. Semedo subsequently signed a six-month contract with the Romanian club.
In July 2019, Semedo signed for Ligue 2 club Grenoble on a two-year contract, where he scored 11 goals in 61 total appearances. He then moved to Cypriot club Pafos FC on a free transfer, where he totalled 20 goal contributions in 48 games.
On 28 January 2023, Semedo signed for Saudi Arabian club Al-Faisaly, however, at the end of the season he returned to Cyprus, this time for 21-time domestic champions Omonia. The 2023–24 season was Semedo's best in terms of goal contributions, as he scored 14 and assisted 7 in 38 appearances in all competitions.
International career Born in France, Semedo is of Cape Verdean descent. On 1 October 2020, Semedo was called by Cape Verde. He made his international debut in a friendly 2–1 win over Andorra on 7 October 2020.
Since then, Semedo has featured for Cape Verde in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, the 2022 and 2026 World Cup qualifiers, as well as the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, where he helped Cape Verde reach the quarter-finals, equalling the team's best performance in the tournament.
On 18 May 2026, he was called up by Cape Verde's head coach Bubista for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/worldcup/articles/cabo-verde-squad-announcement-world-cup-bubista
Career statistics Club
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupContinentalOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsGrenoble2020–21Ligue 12110——31Pafos2021–22Cypriot First Division26410——2742022–23Cypriot First Division18411——195Total44821——469Al Faisaly2022–23Saudi First Division League22—10—32Omonia2023–24Cypriot First Division291242401038142024–25Cypriot First Division33731116—47142025–26Cypriot First Division281710125—4122Total90368327111012650Career total1284210428111016457
International
+ Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsCape Verde202020202150202270202360202470202582202661Total413
Scores and results list Cape Verde's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Semedo goal.
+ List of international goals scored by Willy Semedo No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition 1 8 October 2025 Tripoli Stadium, Tripoli, Libya 3–3 3–3 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification 2 13 October 2025 Estádio Nacional de Cabo Verde, Praia, Cape Verde 2–0 3–0 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification 3 6 June 2026 Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field, East Hartford, United States 1–0 3–0 Friendly
Honours Omonia Cypriot First Division: 2025–26
References
External links