Mozambique national football team

The Mozambique national football team (Portuguese: Seleção Moçambicana de Futebol) represents Mozambique in men's football and is controlled by the Mozambican Football Federation, the governing body for football in Mozambique. Mozambique have never qualified for a FIFA World Cup, but they have qualified for four Africa Cup of Nations in 1986, 1996, 1998 and most recently the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations in Angola, being eliminated in the first round in all four.

This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Mozambique women's national football team.
Mozambique
Nickname(s)Os Mambas
AssociationMozambican Football Federation
ConfederationCAF (Africa)
Sub-confederationCOSAFA
(Southern Africa)
Head coachLuís Gonçalves
Most capsTico-Tico (94)
Top scorerTico-Tico (30)
Home stadiumEstádio do Zimpeto
FIFA codeMOZ
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 106 (10 December 2020)[1]
Highest66 (November 1997)
Lowest134 (July 2005, September 2006)
First international
 Mozambique 2–1 Zambia 
(Mozambique; 25 June 1975)
Biggest win
 Mozambique 6–1 Lesotho 
(Mozambique; 10 August 1980)
 Mozambique 5–0 South Sudan 
(Mozambique; 18 May 2014)
Biggest defeat
 Zimbabwe 6–0 Mozambique
(Salisbury, Zimbabwe; 20 April 1980)
Africa Cup of Nations
Appearances4 (first in 1986)
Best resultGroup stage, 1986, 1996, 1998 and 2010

Mozambique's home ground is Estádio do Zimpeto in the capital city Maputo, and can hold 42,000 spectators. The team's current head coach is Victor Matine, who became manager in July 2019,[2] replacing previous head coach and former Portugal international Abel Xavier, who had been in charge since February 2016.[3]

History

Beginnings

On the day of independence in 1975, Mozambique played its first ever match; a friendly against Zambia, winning 2–1. Two years later, Cuba became Mozambique's first non-African opponent when the two countries met in Mozambique, with Cuba winning 2–0.[4] Mozambique entered World Cup qualifying for the first time in the 1982 qualifying competition. Mozambique were defeated 7–3 over two legs by Zaire in the first round.

1986 Africa Cup of Nations

Mozambique qualified for its first Africa Cup of Nations in 1986. In the qualifying competition they beat Mauritius, Malawi (on penalties), and finally Libya, winning again on penalties.

At the final tournament in Egypt, Mozambique were placed in Group A along with Senegal, Ivory Coast and hosts Egypt. They lost all their games 3–0, 2–0 and 2–0, not scoring a single goal.

1996 Africa Cup of Nations

Mozambique had to wait 10 years to qualify for another Africa Cup of Nations, as they qualified for the 1996 tournament in South Africa. They were placed in Group D along with Ivory Coast, Ghana and Tunisia. Mozambique played their first game against Tunisia in Port Elizabeth, drawing 1–1 with Tico-Tico scoring in the 4th minute. They then went on to lose 1–0 to Ivory Coast and 2–0 to Ghana, thus eliminating them from the tournament.

1998 Africa Cup of Nations

Two years later, Mozambique qualified for their third Africa Cup of Nations held in Burkina Faso. They were again placed in group D along with Morocco, Egypt and Zambia. Mozambique lost their first game against eventual tournament winners Egypt 2–0, both goals coming from Hossam Hassan. In their second game they again lost to Morocco 3–0, therefore eliminating them from the tournament with one game still remaining. In their last game against Zambia, they drew 1–1, their first goal of the tournament. This would prove to be their last African Cup of Nations game for 12 years.

2010 FIFA World Cup qualification

Mozambique entered the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification in the second round, and were placed in Group 7 with Botswana, Madagascar and African football giants Ivory Coast. They made a terrible start to qualifying, losing to Ivory Coast and minnows Botswana 1–0 and 2–1, and drawing 1–1 with Madagascar. Mozambique then went on to beat Madagascar 3–0 in Antananarivo with goals coming from Tico-Tico, Carlitos and Domingues. They then drew 1–1 with Ivory Coast and beat Botswana 1–0 in Gaborone to qualify for the third Round.

Mozambique were one of the lowest seeded teams in the third round, and were placed in Group B with Nigeria, Tunisia and Kenya. They went on to draw their first game against giants Nigeria 0–0 in Maputo. They then went on to lose their next to games against Tunisia and Kenya 2–0 and 2–1, now making it a struggle to qualify for their first FIFA World Cup. In the next game, they beat Kenya 1–0 with Tico-Tico scoring, but then a loss to Nigeria eliminated them from qualifying. In the last game they beat Tunisia 1–0 in a surprising victory that stopped Tunisia from qualifying. Despite not qualifying for the World Cup, this win was enough to secure third place and qualification for the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations in Angola.

2010 Africa Cup of Nations

After a 12-year absence from Africa Cup of Nations football, Mozambique were placed in Group C with Egypt, Nigeria and Benin. In their first game, they played Benin, drawing 2–2 after being 2–0 down, with goals coming from Miro and Fumo. They then went on to lose 2–0 to eventual tournament winners Egypt and 3–0 to Nigeria, thus eliminating them from the tournament. After the tournament, all-time top scorer and captain Tico-Tico retired from international football.

Recent years

Mozambique have yet to reach a fifth AFCON Finals despite several close misses. During the 2013 qualifiers, they reached the final round and beat Morocco 2–0 in the first leg in Maputo. However, they were beaten 4–0 in Marrakech four days later. During the 2019 qualifiers the Mambas were only denied by a Guinea-Bissau equiliser in stoppage time at the end of their final Group K match.

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup record
FIFA World Cup record FIFA World Cup Qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
1930 Part of  Portugal Part of  Portugal
1934
1938
1950
1954
1958
1962
1966
1970
1974
1978 Did not enter Declined participation
1982 Did not qualify 2 0 0 2 3 7
1986 Did not enter Declined participation
1990
1994 Did not qualify 4 0 1 3 3 11
1998 2 0 1 1 1 3
2002 2 1 0 1 2 2
2006 2 0 0 2 3 5
2010 12 4 3 5 10 10
2014 8 2 3 3 7 10
2018 2 1 0 1 1 1
2022 To be determined To be determined
2026
Total–0/21–––––– 34 8 8 18 30 49

African Nations Cup record
African Cup of Nations
Titles: 0
Appearances: 4
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA
1957Part of  Portugal
1959
1962
1963
1965
1968
1970
1972
1974
1976Not affiliated to CAF
1978
1980Did not enter
1982Did not qualify
1984
1986Group stage8th300307
1988Did not qualify
1990
1992
1994
1996Group stage14th301214
199816th300318
2000Did not qualify
2002
2004
2006
2008
2010Group stage15th301227
2012Did not qualify
2013
2015
2017
2019
2021To be determined
2023
2025
Total Group stage 4/32 12 0 2 10 4 26

African Nations Championship record
African Nations Championship
Appearances: 1
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA
2009Did not qualify
2011
2014Group stage16th300349
2016Did not qualify
2018
2020
2022To be determined
Total Group stage 1/6 3 0 0 3 4 9

COSAFA Cup
Main article: COSAFA Cup
COSAFA Cup Record
Year Rank Pld W D L GF GA
1997 0000000
1998 0000000
1999 0000000
2000 0000000
2001 0000000
2002 0000000
2003 0000000
2004 0000000
2005 0000000
2006 0000000
2007 0000000
2008 0000000
2009 0000000
2013 0000000
2015 0000000
2016 0000000
2017 0000000
2018 0000000
2019 0000000
Total 0/19 ------

Recent results and fixtures

  Win   Draw   Loss

2019
14 November 2019 (2019-11-14) 2021 AFCONQ Mozambique  2–0  Rwanda Maputo, Mozambique
18:00 UTC+2
Stadium: Estádio do Zimpeto
18 November 2019 (2019-11-18) 2021 AFCONQ Cape Verde  2–2  Mozambique Praia, Cape Verde
15:00 UTC−1
Stadium: Estádio Nacional de Cabo Verde

Players

Current squad

The following players have been selected for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualification against Rwanda and Cameroon on 14 and 18 November 2019.[5]
Caps and goals updated as of 16 November 2020 after the game against Cameroon.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK José Guirrugo (1992-06-03) 3 June 1992 14 0 Incomáti
1GK Júlio Franque (1996-11-29) 29 November 1996 9 0 Ferroviário Maputo
1GK Víctor Guambe (1998-10-08) 8 October 1998 8 0 Costa do Sol
2DF Zainadine Júnior (c) (1988-06-24) 24 June 1988 56 1 Marítimo
2DF Mexer (1988-09-08) 8 September 1988 51 3 Bordeaux
2DF Jeitoso (1991-04-05) 5 April 1991 31 3 Ferroviário Maputo
2DF Nanani (1996-02-08) 8 February 1996 9 0 Liga Desportiva de Maputo
2DF Sidique Mussagi (1993-10-24) 24 October 1993 8 0 União Songo
2DF Francisco Muchanga (1991-11-05) 5 November 1991 9 0 TS Sporting F.C.
3MF Domingues (1983-11-13) 13 November 1983 89 16 Bidvest Wits
3MF Kito (1988-05-25) 25 May 1988 40 1 C.D. Maxaquene
3MF Manuel Kambala (1991-08-21) 21 August 1991 24 0 Baroka
3MF Nené (1996-11-15) 15 November 1996 10 0 Costa do Sol
3MF Kamo-Kamo (1999-07-19) 19 July 1999 10 0 Vitória F.C.
3MF Salomão Mondlane (1995-10-02) 2 October 1995 5 1 Costa do Sol
4FW Luís Miquissone (1995-07-25) 25 July 1995 37 9 Simba S.C.
4FW Clésio (1994-10-11) 11 October 1994 31 5 Gabala
4FW Reginaldo Faife (1990-06-04) 4 June 1990 31 3 Shakhter Karagandy
4FW Maninho (1991-03-30) 30 March 1991 28 4 Ferroviário Beira
4FW Witi (1996-08-26) 26 August 1996 24 1 Nacional
4FW Stanley Ratifo (1994-12-05) 5 December 1994 17 2 1. CfR Pforzheim
4FW Dayo António (1988-08-20) 20 August 1988 13 3 Ferroviário Beira
4FW Geny Catamo (2001-01-26) 26 January 2001 5 1 Sporting CP

Recent call-ups

The following players have been called up for Moçambique in the last 12 months.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
DF Reinildo Mandava (1994-01-21) 21 January 1994 25 2 Lille v.  Cameroon, 12 November 2020
DF Edmilson Dove (1994-07-18) 18 July 1994 26 0 Cape Town City v.  Cape Verde, 18 November 2019
MF Telinho (1988-10-15) 15 October 1988 40 3 UD Songo v.  Cape Verde, 18 November 2019

DEC Player refused to join the team after the call-up.
 INJ Player withdrew from the squad due to an injury.
 PRE Preliminary squad.
 RET Player has retired from international football.
 SUS Suspended from the national team.

Records
As of November 16, 2020[6]
Players in bold are still active.

Previous squads

Africa Cup of Nations

Honours
  • 2013 (Plate Winners)

References
  1. "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 10 December 2020. Retrieved 10 December 2020.
  2. "Matine takes over from Xavier as new Mozambique coach". July 22, 2019 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  3. "Mozambique appoint Abel Xavier as new national coach". January 26, 2016 – via www.bbc.com.
  4. "Mozambique - List of International Matches". www.rsssf.com. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
  5. "LUÍS GONÇALVES PREPARA APURAMENTO PARA O MUNDIAL COM 24 JOGADORES". Abola.pt.
  6. Mamrud, Roberto. "Mozambique - Record International Players". RSSSF.
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