 As the fleet resumed its supposedly programmed route to India, Sancho de Tovar played an important role on the occupation of the important East African port of Sofala, where his ship eventually stranded.It was then set on fire, in order to prevent its contents from falling into the hands of Muslim pirates.Upon his return to Lisbon, he was put in charge of that city and its surrounding region by the king, a duty that he only performed "de facto" after his return to Africa in 1515.