Mozambique national football team

Mozambique
Nickname(s) Os Mambas
Association Mozambique Football Federation
Confederation CAF (Africa)
Sub-confederation COSAFA
(Southern Africa)
Head coach Abel Xavier
Most caps Chiquinho Conde (98)
Top scorer Tico-Tico (27)[1]
Home stadium Estádio do Zimpeto
FIFA code MOZ
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 113 Increase 1 (20 September 2018)
Highest 66 (November 1997)
Lowest 134 (July 2005, September 2006)
Elo ranking
Current 130 Steady (30 August 2018)
Highest 85 (September 1985)
Lowest 147 (July 2000)
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 Mozambique
(Salisbury, Zimbabwe; 20 April 1980)
Africa Cup of Nations
Appearances 4 (first in 1986)
Best result Group stage, 1986, 1996, 1998 and 2010

The Mozambique national football team (Portuguese: Seleção Moçambicana de Futebol), popularly known as Os Mambas, represents Mozambique in association football and is controlled by the Federação Moçambicana de Futebol, 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. Mozambique are currently ranked 97th in the FIFA World Rankings, with their highest ever ranking of 66th in November 1996.

Mozambique's home ground is Estádio do Zimpeto in the capital city Maputo, and can hold 45,000 spectators. The team's current head coach is the former Portugal international Abel Xavier, who has been in charge since February 2016.[2]

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.[3] Mozambique entered World Cup qualifying for the first time in the 1982 qualifying competition. Zaire defeated Mozambique 7-3 over two legs in the first round.

1986 African Nations Cup

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, Côte d'Ivoire and hosts Egypt. They lost all their games 3–0, 2–0 and 2–0, not scoring a single goal. Egypt went on to win the tournament on home soil.

1996 African 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 Côte d'Ivoire, 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 Côte d'Ivoire and 2–0 to Ghana, thus eliminating them from the tournament.

1998 African 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 Côte d'Ivoire. They made a terrible start to qualifying, losing to Côte d'Ivoire 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 Côte d'Ivoire 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 they still qualified for the 2010 African Cup of Nations in Angola.

2010 African Cup of Nations

After a 12-year absence from African Cup of Nations football, Mozambique were placed in Group C with Egypt, Nigeria and Benin. In their first game, they played Benin Benguela 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.

2012 African Cup of Nations

Mozambique were drawn in Group C for 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying along with Libya, Zambia and Comoros. They drew 0–0 with Libya in their first game and followed it up with 1–0 win away to the Comoros. But two straight losses of 2–0 (home) and 3–0 (away) to Zambia left The Black Mambas qualification hopes in tatters. Failure to qualify was confirmed with a third straight defeat in a 1–0 away loss to Libya. They would finish their campaign with a moral restoring 3–0 home drubbing of the Comoros.

Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
 Zambia 6411112+913
 Libya 633061+512
 Mozambique 621346−27
 Comoros 6015214−121

2013 African Cup of Nations

For the 2013 edition of the African Cup of Nations, Mozambique was drawn against Tanzania in the First Round of qualifying. After a 2–2 aggregate draw over two legs they defeated Tanzania 7–6 in the ensuing penalty shootout, recovering from missing their first two penalties. With their victory, Mozambique progressed to the Second Round of qualifying where they will be drawn from Pot 2 which houses teams ranked 16th – 30th.

2014 FIFA World Cup

Mozambique entered the 2014 FIFA World Cup CAF qualification process in the First Round. For the First Round they were seeded in Pot 1 and were drawn against the Comoros. They won both legs of the tie, opening with a hard-fought 1–0 away win before comprehensively outclassing the islanders 4–1 in the home leg. With the win, they secured their passage to the Second Round where they were seeded in Pot 4 for the draw. Mozambique were drawn in Group G, along with African powerhouse Egypt, Southern Africa neighbours Zimbabwe and West Africans Guinea. They opened their group campaign with a 2–0 away loss to group favourites Egypt before returning home and earning a point against Zimbabwe in a goalless draw. They then drew with Guinea, before a disappointing 6–1 loss to Guinea in the return fixture that eliminated them from the competition.

Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
 Egypt 6600167+918
 Guinea 6312128+410
 Mozambique 6033210−83
 Zimbabwe 602449−52

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
Uruguay1930 Part of  Portugal Part of  Portugal
Italy 1934
France 1938
Brazil 1950
Switzerland 1954
Sweden 1958
Chile 1962
England 1966
Mexico 1970
West Germany 1974
Argentina 1978 Did not enter Declined participation
Spain 1982 Did not qualify 2 0 0 2 3 7
Mexico 1986 Did not enter Declined participation
Italy 1990
United States 1994 Did not qualify 4 0 1 3 3 11
France 1998 2 0 1 1 1 3
South Korea Japan 2002 2 1 0 1 2 2
Germany 2006 2 0 0 2 3 5
South Africa 2010 12 4 3 5 10 10
Brazil 2014 8 2 3 3 7 10
Russia 2018 2 1 0 1 1 1
Qatar 2022 To be determined Qualification yet to start
Total 0/21 34 8 8 18 30 49

African Nations Cup record

African Cup of Nations
Titles: 0
Appearances: 4
Year Position Year Position Year Position Year Position
Sudan 1957Did not enterEthiopia 1976Did not enterTunisia 1994Did not qualifyGabon Equatorial Guinea 2012Did not qualify
Egypt 1959Did not enterGhana 1978Did not enterSouth Africa 1996Round 1South Africa 2013Did not qualify
Ethiopia 1962Did not enterNigeria 1980Did not enterBurkina Faso 1998Round 1Equatorial Guinea 2015Did not qualify
Ghana 1963Did not enterLibya 1982Did not qualifyGhanaNigeria 2000Did not qualifyGabon 2017Did not qualify
Tunisia 1965Did not enterIvory Coast 1984Did not qualifyMali 2002Did not qualify
Ethiopia 1968Did not enterEgypt 1986Round 1Tunisia 2004Did not qualify
Sudan 1970Did not enterMorocco 1988Did not qualifyEgypt 2006Did not qualify
Cameroon 1972Did not enterAlgeria 1990Did not qualifyGhana 2008Did not qualify
Egypt 1974Did not enterSenegal 1992Did not qualifyAngola 2010Round 1

Recent results and fixtures

  Win   Draw   Loss

2018

2019

Players

Current squad

The following players have been selected for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualification match against Guinea-Bissau on 8 September 2018.[4]
Caps and goals updated as of 8 September 2018 after the game against Guinea Bissau.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK José Guirrugo (1992-06-03) 3 June 1992 10 0 Mozambique Costa do Sol
16 1GK Víctor Timana (1978-02-05) 5 February 1978 4 0 Mozambique Nancala
22 1GK Leonel Pendula (1981-02-12) 12 February 1981 0 0 Mozambique União Songo
2 2DF Nanani (1996-02-08) 8 February 1996 2 0 Mozambique Liga Muçulmana
3 2DF Zainadine Júnior (1988-06-24) 24 June 1988 46 0 Portugal Marítimo
8 2DF Edmilson Dove (1994-07-18) 18 July 1994 18 0 South Africa Cape Town City
15 2DF Reinildo Mandava (1994-01-21) 21 January 1994 13 2 Portugal Covilhã
17 2DF Mexer (1987-09-08) 8 September 1987 43 1 France Stade Rennais
45 2DF Chico Muchanga (1991-11-05) 5 November 1991 26 0 Mozambique Ferroviário Maputo
2DF Jeitoso (1991-04-05) 5 April 1991 19 2 Mozambique Ferroviário Maputo
7 3MF Domingues Pelembé (Captain) (1983-11-13) 13 November 1983 78 16 South Africa Bidvest Wits
4 3MF Nené (1996-11-15) 15 November 1996 2 0 Mozambique Costa do Sol
5 3MF Geraldo Matsimbe (1992-10-22) 22 October 1992 5 0 Portugal Amora
26 3MF Mustafá Salimo (1997-05-04) 4 May 1997 11 0 Mozambique Costa do Sol
28 3MF Manuel Kambala (1991-08-21) 21 August 1991 9 0 Mozambique União Songo
3MF Telinho (1988-10-15) 15 October 1988 28 0 Mozambique Liga Muçulmana
3MF Clésio Baúque (1994-10-11) 11 October 1994 26 4 Greece Panetolikos
3MF Lóló Warumua (1990-04-20) 20 April 1990 16 0 Mozambique Ferroviário Maputo
9 4FW Maninho (1988-03-30) 30 March 1988 21 3 Mozambique Ferroviário Beira
11 4FW Luís Miquissone (1995-07-25) 25 July 1995 27 9 South Africa Chippa United
19 4FW Witi (1996-08-26) 26 August 1996 9 0 Portugal Nacional
25 4FW Dayo António (1988-08-20) 20 August 1988 7 1 Mozambique Ferroviário Beira
44 4FW Stanley Ratifo (1994-12-05) 5 December 1994 4 1 Germany 1. CfR Pforzheim
4FW Reginaldo Faife (1990-06-04) 4 June 1990 22 2 Albania Kukësi
4FW Gildo Vilanculos (1995-01-31) 31 January 1995 14 1 Portugal Amora

Recent call-ups

The following players have been called up for Moçambique in the last 12 months.[5]

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Júlio Franque (1996-11-29) 29 November 1996 2 0 Mozambique Ferroviário Maputo 2018 COSAFA Cup
GK Ricardo Campos (1985-07-14) 14 July 1985 17 0 Portugal Leiria v.  Kenya, 2 September 2017
DF Mano (1984-04-28) 28 April 1984 33 1 Mozambique União Songo 2018 COSAFA Cup
DF Salomão Mondlane (1995-10-02) 2 October 1995 4 1 Mozambique Costa do Sol v.  Kenya, 2 September 2017
MF Cremildo (1986-06-12) 12 June 1986 8 0 Mozambique União Songo 2018 COSAFA Cup
MF Kamo-Kamo (1999-07-19) 19 July 1999 3 0 Mozambique Ferroviário Maputo 2018 COSAFA Cup
MF Danilo Muzé (1997-04-19) 19 April 1997 3 0 Mozambique Maxaquene 2018 COSAFA Cup
MF Kito (1984-05-23) 23 May 1984 38 1 Mozambique Ferroviário Maputo v.  Kenya, 2 September 2017
MF Diogo (1989-03-01) 1 March 1989 31 5 Mozambique Ferroviário Maputo v.  Kenya, 2 September 2017
FW Isac Carvalho (1989-06-27) 27 June 1989 28 5 Mozambique Costa do Sol 2018 COSAFA Cup
FW Neymar (1997-11-16) 16 November 1997 1 0 Mozambique Liga Muçulmana 2018 COSAFA Cup

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

Most capped players

As of May 31, 2018
Players in bold are still active.
# Name International Career Caps Goals
1. Chiquinho Conde 1985–2001 98[6] 4?
2. Dário Monteiro 1996–2011 88 21
3. Tico-Tico 1992–2010 83 27
4. Miró Lobo 2004–2015 79 8
5. Dominguês 2004– 77 16
Jojó Fernandes 1989–2003 77 11
6. Momed Hagi 2005–2015 62 3
7. Dario Khan 2003–2014 53? 2
8. João Kapango 2000–2012 50? 0
9. Josemar Machaisse 2008–2015 48 6
10. Zainadine Júnior 2008– 47 0
11. Mexer 2007- 46 1

Top goalscorers

As of May 31, 2018
Players in bold are still active.
# Name International Career Goals Caps
1. Tico-Tico 1992–2010 27 83
2. Dário Monteiro 1996–2011 21 88
3. Dominguês 2004– 16 77
4. Jojó Fernandes 1989–2003 11 77
5. Luís Miquissone 2015– 9 27
6. Miró Lobo 2004–2015 8 79
7. Sonito 2008– 7 34
8. Josemar Machaisse 2008–2015 6 48
9. Diogo 2012- 5 31

Previous squads

Africa Cup of Nations

Honours

  • 2013 (Plate Winners)

References

  1. ↑ Földesi, László. "Manuel José Luis "Tico-Tico" Bucuane – Goals in International Matches". RSSSF. Retrieved 2011-10-08.
  2. ↑ https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/35408438
  3. ↑ "Mozambique - List of International Matches". www.rsssf.com. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
  4. ↑ https://www.abola.pt/Nnh/Noticias/Ver/747579
  5. ↑ http://www.cosafa.com/mano-and-kamo-kamo-in-mozambique-squad-for-cosafa-cup/
  6. ↑ http://www.thefinalball.com/player.php?id=15347
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