In the 2010–11 season, Babanco signed with F.C. Arouca in Portugal, which was competing for the first time ever in the Segunda Liga. He was first choice during his two-year spell, with the Aveiro District side consecutively managing to retain their league status.
After starting the season with AEL Limassol in the Cypriot First Division, Babanco rescinded his contract and returned to Portugal's top flight on 24 January 2017 on an 18-month deal at C.D. Feirense.[4] He scored his first goal in the division on 3 March 2018 to open a 3–0 home win against Boavista FC.[5]
Babanco was chosen for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations – his country's first major tournament – where they were eliminated in the quarter-finals by Ghana.[11] He was also called up two years later for the tournament in Equatorial Guinea.[12]
International goals
As of 13 June 2015 (Cape Verde score listed first, score column indicates score after each Babanco goal)[13]
^ abcd"Babanco" (in Portuguese). Mais Futebol. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
^Anjinho, Jorge (5 June 2012). "Olhanense: Babanco é o primeiro reforço" [Olhanense: Babanco is the first addition] (in Portuguese). Mais Futebol. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
^Soares da Silva, Eduardo (4 March 2018). "Boavista perde na Feira e vê fugir o sonho europeu" [Boavista lose in Feira and see their European dream escape] (in Portuguese). Jornalismo Porto Net. Retrieved 24 November 2021.