Born in Lourenço Marques, Portuguese Mozambique, Vicente spent 13 seasons in the Primeira Liga with C.F.

As his team went on to finish in third position, he played all the group stage matches plus the 5–3 quarter-final win against North Korea;[3] he was accused of fouling Pelé in the 3–1 group phase victory over Brazil, when it was in fact his teammate João Morais who was responsible.

[4][5] Vicente quit football after the World Cup due to a serious eye injury after a piece of glass hit the organ in a car accident, aged 31.

[6] He was remembered for several perfect markings of the best players of his time without making any foul, and was cited by Pelé as the greatest defender that he ever played against.

[7] From 1979 to 1981, Vicente coached in the fourth division, spending one season apiece with Clube Desportivo Amiense and G.D. Sesimbra.