Wikipedia

Mozambique national football team

This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Mozambique women's national football team.

The Mozambique national football team (Portuguese: Seleção Moçambicana de Futebol) represents Mozambique in men's international football competitions 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 five Africa Cup of Nations in 1986, 1996, 1998, 2010, and most recently 2023, being eliminated in the first round in all five. In 1997, the Mozambique Football Federation became a founding member of COSAFA.

Mozambique
Nickname(s)Os Mambas (The Mambas)
AssociationFederação Moçambicana de Futebol (FMF)
ConfederationCAF (Africa)
Sub-confederationCOSAFA (Southern Africa)
Head coachChiquinho Conde
CaptainMexer
Most capsDomingues (111)
Top scorerTico-Tico (30)
Home stadiumEstádio do Zimpeto
FIFA codeMOZ
First colours
Second colours
Third colours
FIFA ranking
Current 110 Steady (4 April 2024)[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 
(Maputo, Mozambique; 18 May 2014)
 Mozambique 5–0 Lesotho 
(Maputo, Mozambique; 2 June 2021)
Biggest defeat
 Zimbabwe 6–0 Mozambique 
(Salisbury, Zimbabwe; 20 April 1980)
Africa Cup of Nations
Appearances5 (first in 1986)
Best resultGroup stage (1986, 1996, 1998, 2010, 2023)
African Nations Championship
Appearances2 (first in 2014)
Best resultQuarter finals (2022)
COSAFA Cup
Appearances19 (first in 1997)
Best resultRunners-up (2008, 2015)
Medal record
COSAFA Cup
Silver medal – second place 2008 South Africa
Silver medal – second place 2015 South Africa
Bronze medal – third place 1997 Southern Africa
Bronze medal – third place 2009 Zimbabwe

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,[3] replacing previous head coach and former Portugal international Abel Xavier, who had been in charge since February 2016.[4]

History edit

Beginnings edit

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.[5] 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 edit

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 edit

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 edit

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 edit

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 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 edit

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 edit

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 equaliser in stoppage time at the end of their final Group K match.

Recent results and fixtures edit

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixture

2023 edit

24 March 2023 AFCON qualification Senegal   5–1   Mozambique Dakar, Senegal
19:00 UTC±0
Report
Stadium: Diamniadio Olympic Stadium
Referee: Ibrahim Mutaz (Libya)
28 March 2023 AFCON qualification Mozambique   0–1   Senegal Maputo, Mozambique
18:00 UTC+2 Report
Stadium: Estádio do Zimpeto
Referee: Jalal Jayed (Morocco)
14 June Friendly Mozambique   1–1   Malawi Maputo, Mozambique
10:00 UTC+2 Telinho   56' Report Nkhoma   74' Stadium: Estádio do Zimpeto
18 June 2023 AFCON qualification Rwanda   0–2   Mozambique Kigali, Rwanda
15:00 UTC+2 Report
Stadium: Kigali Pelé Stadium
Referee: Mustapha Ghorbal (Algeria)
7 July 2023 COSAFA Cup Mozambique   1–1   Angola Durban
18:00
Report
Stadium: King Zwelithini Stadium
10 July 2023 COSAFA Cup Mozambique   0–1   Lesotho KwaMashu
18:00 Report
Stadium: Princess Magogo Stadium
12 July 2023 COSAFA Cup Mauritius   0–1   Mozambique KwaMashu
15:00 Report
Stadium: Princess Magogo Stadium
9 September 2023 AFCON qualification Mozambique   3–2   Benin Maputo, Mozambique
15:00 UTC+2
Report
Stadium: Estádio do Zimpeto
Referee: Mohamed Adel (Egypt)
13 October Friendly Angola   1–1   Mozambique TBD, Portugal
Gelson   85' Bangal   71' Stadium: TBD
16 October Friendly Mozambique   2–3   Nigeria Portimão, Portugal
15:00 Catamo   6'
Bangal   55'		 Report Moffi   19'
Onyeka   30'
Simon   45+3' (pen.)		 Stadium: Estádio Municipal de Portimão
16 November 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Botswana   2–3   Mozambique Francistown, Botswana
15:00 UTC+2
Report
Stadium: Obed Itani Chilume Stadium
Referee: Peter Waweru (Kenya)
19 November 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Mozambique   0–2   Algeria Maputo, Mozambique
15:00 UTC+2 Report
Stadium: Estadio do Zimpeto
Referee: Samuel Uwikunda (Rwanda)

2024 edit

6 January Friendly Mozambique   2–0   Lesotho Johannesburg, South Africa
16:00 UTC+2
Report Stadium: FNB Stadium
8 January Friendly Botswana   1–1   Mozambique Johannesburg, South Africa
16:00 UTC+2
Report
Stadium: Johannesburg Stadium
14 January 2023 Africa Cup of Nations GS Egypt   2–2   Mozambique Abidjan, Ivory Coast
18:50
Report
Stadium: Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium
Attendance: 11,933
Referee: Dahane Beida (Mauritania)
19 January 2023 Africa Cup of Nations Cape Verde   3–0   Mozambique Abidjan, Ivory Coast
20:00 Stadium: Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium
22 January 2023 Africa Cup of Nations Mozambique   2–2   Ghana Abidjan, Ivory Coast
Stadium: Alassane Ouattara Stadium

Coaching history edit

Players edit

Current squad edit

The following players were called up for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.[6]

Caps and goals correct as of 22 January 2024, after the match against Ghana.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Ernani (1998-07-09) 9 July 1998 (age 25) 29 0   Songo
1GK Ivane Urrubal (1997-03-01) 1 March 1997 (age 27) 10 0   Black Bulls
1GK Fazito (2003-06-09) 9 June 2003 (age 20) 3 0   Ferroviário de Nampula
2DF Mexer (1987-09-08) 8 September 1987 (age 36) 64 3   Bandırmaspor
2DF Edmilson Dove (1994-07-18) 18 July 1994 (age 29) 43 0   Kaizer Chiefs
2DF Reinildo Mandava (1994-01-21) 21 January 1994 (age 30) 39 4   Atlético Madrid
2DF Nené (1996-11-15) 15 November 1996 (age 27) 30 1   Black Bulls
2DF Nanani (1996-02-08) 8 February 1996 (age 28) 26 0   Songo
2DF Bruno Langa (1997-10-31) 31 October 1997 (age 26) 23 1   Chaves
2DF Domingos Macandza (1998-06-17) 17 June 1998 (age 25) 21 0   Costa do Sol
2DF David Malembana (1995-10-11) 11 October 1995 (age 28) 6 0   Noah
3MF Domingues (1983-11-13) 13 November 1983 (age 40) 111 16   Songo
3MF Shaquille (1997-11-24) 24 November 1997 (age 26) 40 0   Ferroviário Maputo
3MF Amadú (1996-12-03) 3 December 1996 (age 27) 29 0   Ferroviário Beira
3MF João Bonde (1997-01-09) 9 January 1997 (age 27) 15 0   Ferroviário Beira
3MF Guima (1995-11-14) 14 November 1995 (age 28) 10 1   Chaves
3MF Alfons Amade (1999-11-12) 12 November 1999 (age 24) 5 1   Oostende
4FW Clésio (1994-10-11) 11 October 1994 (age 29) 50 9   Gabala
4FW Witi (1996-08-26) 26 August 1996 (age 27) 40 4   Nacional
4FW Gildo (1995-01-31) 31 January 1995 (age 29) 37 3   Covilhã
4FW Stanley Ratifo (1994-12-05) 5 December 1994 (age 29) 31 4   1. CfR Pforzheim
4FW Lau King (1995-09-04) 4 September 1995 (age 28) 24 4   Sagrada Esperança
4FW Geny Catamo (2001-01-26) 26 January 2001 (age 23) 23 6   Sporting CP

Recent call-ups edit

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

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Víctor Guambe (1998-10-08) 8 October 1998 (age 25) 8 0   Costa do Sol 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
GK Kimiss Zavala (2004-05-08) 8 May 2004 (age 19) 0 0   Marítimo 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
GK Gion Chande (1998-05-03) 3 May 1998 (age 25) 1 0   Vaduz v.   Senegal, 28 March 2023
DF Francisco Muchanga (1991-11-05) 5 November 1991 (age 32) 29 0   Costa do Sol 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
DF Martinho Thauzene (1999-09-27) 27 September 1999 (age 24) 25 1   AVS 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
DF Bonera (1997-04-07) 7 April 1997 (age 27) 11 1   Al-Hala 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
DF Foia (2001-04-15) 15 April 2001 (age 23) 2 0   Ferroviário da Beira 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
DF Jeremias Nhambire (2000-01-08) 8 January 2000 (age 24) 0 0   Marítimo 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
DF Chamboco (1998-06-15) 15 June 1998 (age 25) 0 0   Black Bulls 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
DF Danito (1995-06-15) 15 June 1995 (age 28) 3 0   Songo 2023 COSAFA Cup
DF Zainadine Júnior (1988-06-24) 24 June 1988 (age 35) 64 1   Marítimo v.   Senegal, 28 March 2023
MF Manuel Kambala (1991-08-21) 21 August 1991 (age 32) 38 0   Magesi 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
MF Telinho (1988-10-15) 15 October 1988 (age 35) 34 1   Costa do Sol 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
MF Dário Melo (1996-01-20) 20 January 1996 (age 28) 8 0   Songo 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
MF Kamo-Kamo (1999-07-19) 19 July 1999 (age 24) 7 0   União de Santarém 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
MF Gianluca Lorenzoni (2001-02-22) 22 February 2001 (age 23) 2 0   Gudja United 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
MF Ezequiel Machava (2003-01-03) 3 January 2003 (age 21) 1 0   Ferroviário Maputo 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
MF Keyns Abdala (2000-03-15) 15 March 2000 (age 24) 0 0   Chaves 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
FW Isac de Carvalho (1989-07-26) 26 July 1989 (age 34) 48 6   Costa do Sol 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
FW Luís Miquissone (1995-07-25) 25 July 1995 (age 28) 48 9   Al Ahly 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
FW Melque (1997-06-26) 26 June 1997 (age 26) 24 4   Black Bulls 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
FW Nelson Divrassone (1994-06-20) 20 June 1994 (age 29) 21 3   Songo 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
FW Dayo António (1995-08-20) 20 August 1995 (age 28) 13 3   Songo 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
FW Estevão (1995-12-01) 1 December 1995 (age 28) 11 3   Ferroviário da Beira 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
FW Jonathan Muiomo (1999-01-28) 28 January 1999 (age 25) 3 1   Carl Zeiss Jena 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
FW Melven Choi (2001-10-15) 15 October 2001 (age 22) 2 0   Ferroviário da Beira 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE

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 edit

See also: Mozambique men's international footballers
As of 22 January 2024[7]
Players in bold are still active with Mozambique.

Most appearances edit

Rank Player Caps Goals Career
1. Domingues Pelembé 111 16 2004–present
2. Tico-Tico 94 30 1992–2010
3. Miró Lobo 84 8 2004–2015
4. Sérgio Faife 67 5 1992–2008
5. João Kapango 66 0 1996–2012
Nana Matola 66 5 1988–1999
7. Zainadine Júnior 64 1 2008–present
Mexer 64 3 2007–present
9. Momed Hagi 62 3 2005–2015
10. Telinho 61 4 2011–present

Top goalscorers edit

Rank Player Goals Caps Ratio Career
1. Tico-Tico 30 94 0.32 1992–2010
2. Dário Monteiro 16 48 0.33 1996–2011
Domingues Pelembé 16 111 0.14 2004–present
4. Chiquinho Conde 12 43 0.28 1985–2001
5. Gil Guiamba 11 22 0.5 1980–1983
6. Arnaldo Ouana 10 37 0.27 1987–1999
7. Luís Miquissone 9 48 0.19 2015–present
Clésio 9 50 0.18 2011–present
9. Miró Lobo 8 84 0.1 2004–2015
10. Adelino Neves Pereira 7 19 0.37 1989–1997
Nuro Tualibudane 7 21 0.33 1994–2001
Sonito 7 35 0.2 2008–2017
Jossias Macamo 7 60 0.12 1996–2005

Competitive record edit

FIFA World Cup edit

FIFA World Cup Qualification
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
1930 to 1974 Part of   Portugal Part of   Portugal
  1978 Not a FIFA member Not a FIFA member
  1982 Did not qualify 2 0 0 2 3 7
1986 and 1990 Did not enter Declined participation
  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 11
  2018 2 1 0 1 1 1
  2022 8 3 1 4 5 8
      2026 To be determined 2 1 0 1 3 4
      2030 To be determined
  2034
Total – 0/11 – – – – – – 44 12 9 23 38 62

Africa Cup of Nations edit

African Cup of Nations record African Cup of Nations qualification record
Appearances:5 Appearances: 21
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Squad Pld W D L GF GA
  1957 Part of   Portugal Part of   Portugal
  1959
  1962
  1963
  1965
  1968
  1970
  1972
  1974
  1976 Not affiliated to CAF Not affiliated to CAF
  1978
  1980 Did not enter Did not enter
  1982 Did not qualify 4 1 1 2 11 8
  1984 2 1 0 1 3 4
  1986 Group stage 8th 3 0 0 3 0 7 Squad 6 2 3 1 8 5
  1988 Did not qualify 2 0 1 1 3 4
  1990 2 0 0 2 0 4
  1992 4 2 0 2 3 3
  1994 6 1 3 2 5 7
  1996 Group stage 14th 3 0 1 2 1 4 Squad 10 6 2 2 16 8
  1998 16th 3 0 0 3 1 8 Squad 6 3 1 2 10 7
    2000 Did not qualify 6 2 1 3 6 10
  2002 2 1 0 1 1 1
  2004 6 2 2 2 3 8
  2006 2 0 0 0 3 5
  2008 6 2 3 1 5 4
  2010 Group stage 15th 3 0 1 2 2 7 Squad 12 4 3 5 10 10
    2012 Did not qualify 6 2 1 3 4 6
  2013 4 1 2 1 4 6
  2015 10 3 5 2 13 7
  2017 6 2 1 3 5 7
  2019 6 2 2 2 7 7
  2021 6 1 1 4 5 10
  2023 Group stage 21st 3 0 2 1 4 7 Squad 6 3 1 2 8 9
  2025 to be determined to be determined
      2027
Total Group stage 5/36 15 0 4 11 8 33 — 114 41 33 40 130 140

African Nations Championship edit

African Nations Championship record
Appearances: 2
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA
  2009 Did not qualify
  2011
  2014 Group stage 16th 3 0 0 3 4 9
  2016 Did not qualify
  2018
  2020
  2022 Quarter finals 8th 4 1 1 2 4 6
Total Quarter finals 2/7 6 1 1 5 8 15

COSAFA Cup edit

Main article: COSAFA Cup

Honours edit

References edit

  1. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 4 April 2024. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  2. ^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 27 March 2024. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
  3. ^ "Matine takes over from Xavier as new Mozambique coach". July 22, 2019. Archived from the original on July 26, 2019. Retrieved July 25, 2019 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  4. ^ "Mozambique appoint Abel Xavier as new national coach". January 26, 2016. Archived from the original on December 25, 2017. Retrieved February 13, 2018 – via www.bbc.com.
  5. ^ "Mozambique – List of International Matches". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 6 December 2022. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
  6. ^ "Final Squad". Twitter. Mozambique Football Federation.
  7. ^ Mamrud, Roberto. "Mozambique - Record International Players". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 2022-12-09. Retrieved 2023-02-02.

External links edit

 
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