Mozambique national football team
Nickname(s) | Os Mambas (The Mambas) | ||||||||||||||||
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Association | Federação Moçambicana de Futebol | ||||||||||||||||
Confederation | CAF (Africa) | ||||||||||||||||
Sub-confederation | COSAFA (Southern Africa) | ||||||||||||||||
Head coach | Horacio Gonçalves | ||||||||||||||||
Most caps | Tico-Tico (94) | ||||||||||||||||
Top scorer | Tico-Tico (30) | ||||||||||||||||
Home stadium | Estádio do Zimpeto | ||||||||||||||||
FIFA code | MOZ | ||||||||||||||||
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FIFA ranking | |||||||||||||||||
Current | 118 1 (23 December 2021)[1] | ||||||||||||||||
Highest | 66 (November 1997) | ||||||||||||||||
Lowest | 134 (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 | |||||||||||||||||
Appearances | 4 (first in 1986) | ||||||||||||||||
Best result | Group stage (1986, 1996, 1998, 2010) | ||||||||||||||||
African Nations Championship | |||||||||||||||||
Appearances | 1 (first in 2014) | ||||||||||||||||
Best result | Group stage (2014) | ||||||||||||||||
COSAFA Cup | |||||||||||||||||
Appearances | 19 (first in 1997) | ||||||||||||||||
Best result | Runners-up (2008, 2015) | ||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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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.
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[]
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.[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[]
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.
Recent results and fixtures[]
Win Draw Loss
2021[]
24 March 2021 AFCONQ | Rwanda | 1–0 | Mozambique | Kigali, Rwanda |
15:00 UTC+2 | Byiringiro 70' | Report | Stadium: Stade Régional Nyamirambo Referee: Issa Sy (Senegal) |
30 March 2021 AFCON Q | Mozambique | 0–1 | Cape Verde | Maputo, Mozambique |
21:00 UTC+2 | Report |
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Stadium: Estádio do Zimpeto Referee: Messie Nkounkou (Congo) |
8 June Friendly | Mozambique | 1–1 | Eswatini | Maputo |
15:00 UTC+2 | Report | Stadium: Estádio Nacional do Zimpeto Referee: Lebalang Mokete (Lesotho) |
7 July 2021 COSAFA Cup Group B | Mozambique | 0–0 | Zimbabwe | Port Elizabeth, South Africa |
12:00 UTC+2 |
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Report |
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Stadium: Wolfson Stadium Referee: Eldrick Adelaide (Seychelles) |
9 July 2021 COSAFA Cup Group B | Senegal | 1–0 | Mozambique | Port Elizabeth, South Africa |
15:00 UTC+2 |
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Stadium: Wolfson Stadium Referee: Osiase Koto (Lesotho) |
11 July 2021 COSAFA Cup Group B | Mozambique | 2–0 | Malawi | Port Elizabeth, South Africa |
17:00 UTC+2 |
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Report | Stadium: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium Referee: Brighton Chimene (Zimbabwe) |
14 July 2021 COSAFA Cup Group B | Mozambique | 1–0 | Namibia | Port Elizabeth, South Africa |
12:00 UTC+2 |
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Report |
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Stadium: Wolfson Stadium Referee: Osiase Koto (Lesotho) |
16 July 2021 COSAFA Cup Semi-finals | South Africa | 3–0 | Mozambique | Port Elizabeth, South Africa |
17:00 UTC+2 |
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Report |
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Stadium: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium Referee: Brighton Chimene (Zimbabwe) |
18 July 2021 COSAFA Cup Third place match | Eswatini | 1–1 (4–2 p) | Mozambique | Port Elizabeth, South Africa |
12:00 UTC+2 |
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Report |
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Stadium: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium Referee: Abongile Tom (South Africa) |
Penalties | ||||
3 September 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Group D | Mozambique | 0–0 | Ivory Coast |
7 September 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Group D | Malawi | 1–0 | Mozambique |
8 October 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Group D | Cameroon | 3–1 | Mozambique | Douala, Cameroon |
17:00 UTC+1 |
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Report |
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Stadium: Japoma Stadium Referee: Mohamed Marouf (Egypt) |
11 October 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Group D | Mozambique | 0–1 | Cameroon | Tangiers, Morocco |
14:00 UTC+1 | Report |
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Stadium: Stade Ibn Batouta Referee: Sabri Mohamed Fadul (Sudan) |
13 November 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Group D | Ivory Coast | 3–0 | Mozambique | Cotonou, Benin |
20:00 UTC+1 |
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Report | Stadium: Stade de l'Amitié Referee: Ahmed El Ghandour (Egypt) |
16 November 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Group D | Mozambique | 1–0 | Malawi | Cotonou, Benin |
14:00 UTC+1 |
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Report | Stadium: Stade de l'Amitié Referee: Hassan Mohamed Hagi (Somalia) |
Players[]
Current squad[]
The following players have been selected friendlies against Ivory Coast and Malawi on 13 and 16 November 2021.[6]
Caps and goals updated as of 11 October 2021 after the game against Cameroon.
No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GK | 7 September 1998 | 11 | 0 | Ferroviário Maputo | ||
GK | Víctor Guambe | 8 October 1998 | 10 | 0 | Costa do Sol | |
GK | 1 March 1997 | 0 | 0 | Black Bulls | ||
DF | Zainadine Júnior | 24 June 1988 | 59 | 1 | Marítimo | |
DF | Mexer | 8 September 1987 | 51 | 3 | Bordeaux | |
DF | Reinildo Mandava | 21 January 1994 | 29 | 2 | Lille | |
DF | Edmilson Dove | 18 July 1994 | 26 | 0 | Cape Town City | |
DF | Sidique Mussagi | 24 October 1993 | 15 | 0 | Songo | |
DF | 4 July 1997 | 11 | 1 | Marítimo | ||
DF | 27 September 1998 | 11 | 1 | Black Bulls | ||
DF | 9 May 1999 | 5 | 0 | Black Bulls | ||
MF | Domingues | 13 November 1983 | 91 | 16 | Polokwane City | |
MF | Luís Miquissone | 25 July 1995 | 43 | 9 | Al Ahly SC | |
MF | Clésio | 11 October 1994 | 35 | 5 | Marítimo | |
MF | Manuel Kambala | 21 August 1991 | 28 | 0 | Baroka | |
MF | Witi | 26 August 1996 | 24 | 2 | Nacional | |
MF | Gildo Vilanculos | 31 January 1995 | 18 | 1 | Amora | |
MF | Geny Catamo | 26 January 2001 | 11 | 2 | Sporting CP | |
MF | Shaquille | 24 November 1997 | 11 | 0 | Ferroviário Maputo | |
MF | Kamo-Kamo | 19 July 1999 | 10 | 1 | Vitória | |
MF | Geraldo Matsimbe | 22 October 1992 | 8 | 0 | AD Fafe | |
FW | Reginaldo Faife | 4 June 1990 | 31 | 3 | Akzhayik | |
FW | Dayo António | 20 August 1988 | 17 | 3 | Ferroviário da Beira |
Recent call-ups[]
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 | 8 May 2002 | 0 | 0 | Black Bulls | v. Eswatini; 8 June 2021 | |
DF | 18 April 1997 | 17 | 0 | Costa do Sol | v. Cameroon; 11 October 2021 | |
DF | 18 September 1995 | 11 | 0 | Vilankulo | v. Cameroon; 11 October 2021 | |
DF | 10 February 1998 | 11 | 0 | Liga Desportiva de Maputo | v. Cameroon; 11 October 2021 | |
DF | 31 October 1997 | 9 | 1 | Amora | v. Malawi; 7 September 2021 | |
DF | 7 July 1998 | 6 | 0 | Desportivo Maputo | v. Eswatini; 8 June 2021 | |
MF | 8 December 1996 | 16 | 0 | Costa do Sol | v. Cameroon; 11 October 2021 | |
MF | 6 October 1997 | 10 | 0 | Songo | v. Malawi; 7 September 2021 | |
MF | 27 February 1998 | 0 | 0 | Ferroviário Nampula | v. Malawi; 7 September 2021 | |
MF | 16 November 1997 | 5 | 1 | Marítimo | v. Ivory Coast; 3 September 2021 | |
MF | 12 July 2000 | 1 | 1 | Vitória B | v. Eswatini; 8 June 2021 | |
MF | 12 December 1998 | 7 | 0 | Ferroviário Maputo | v. Eswatini; 8 June 2021 | |
MF | 10 March 1999 | 5 | 0 | Ferroviário Beira | v. Eswatini; 8 June 2021 | |
MF | 6 August 1983 | 2 | 0 | Liga Desportiva | v. Eswatini; 8 June 2021 | |
FW | 1 December 1995 | 11 | 3 | Liga Desportiva | v. Cameroon; 11 October 2021 | |
FW | 26 June 1997 | 10 | 2 | Black Bulls | v. Cameroon; 11 October 2021 | |
FW | 4 April 1999 | 9 | 1 | Black Bulls | v. Cameroon; 11 October 2021 | |
FW | 23 December 1998 | 3 | 0 | Costa do Sol | v. Eswatini; 8 June 2021 | |
DEC Player refused to join the team after the call-up. |
Records[]
- As of 18 July 2021[7]
- Players in bold are still active with Mozambique.
Most capped players[]
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Top goalscorers[]
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Competitive record[]
FIFA World Cup[]
FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup qualification record | ||||||||||||||
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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 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 5 | |||||||||
2026 | To be determined | To be determined | |||||||||||||
Total | – | 0/22 | – | – | – | – | – | – | 42 | 12 | 9 | 21 | 37 | 54 |
Africa Cup of Nations[]
African Cup of Nations record | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Appearances: 4 | |||||||||||
Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA | Squad | ||
1957 | Part of Portugal | ||||||||||
1959 | |||||||||||
1962 | |||||||||||
1963 | |||||||||||
1965 | |||||||||||
1968 | |||||||||||
1970 | |||||||||||
1972 | |||||||||||
1974 | |||||||||||
1976 | Not affiliated to CAF | ||||||||||
1978 | |||||||||||
1980 | Did not enter | ||||||||||
1982 | Did not qualify | ||||||||||
1984 | |||||||||||
1986 | Group stage | 8th | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 7 | Squad | ||
1988 | Did not qualify | ||||||||||
1990 | |||||||||||
1992 | |||||||||||
1994 | |||||||||||
1996 | Group stage | 14th | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | Squad | ||
1998 | 16th | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 8 | Squad | |||
2000 | Did not qualify | ||||||||||
2002 | |||||||||||
2004 | |||||||||||
2006 | |||||||||||
2008 | |||||||||||
2010 | Group stage | 15th | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 7 | Squad | ||
2012 | Did not qualify | ||||||||||
2013 | |||||||||||
2015 | |||||||||||
2017 | |||||||||||
2019 | |||||||||||
2021 | |||||||||||
2023 | To be determined | ||||||||||
2025 | |||||||||||
Total | Group stage | 4/33 | 12 | 0 | 2 | 10 | 4 | 26 | — |
African Nations Championship[]
African Nations Championship record | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Appearances: 1 | ||||||||
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 | To be determined | |||||||
Total | Group stage | 1/6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 9 |
COSAFA Cup[]
COSAFA Cup Record | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Rank | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | |
1997 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
1998 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
1999 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
2000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
2001 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
2002 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
2003 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
2004 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
2005 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
2006 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
2007 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
2008 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
2009 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
2013 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
2015 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
2016 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
2017 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
2018 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
2019 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Total | 0/19 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Honours[]
- COSAFA Cup: 1
- 2013 (Plate Winners)
References[]
- ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 23 December 2021. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
- ^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 18 January 2022. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
- ^ "Matine takes over from Xavier as new Mozambique coach". July 22, 2019 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
- ^ "Mozambique appoint Abel Xavier as new national coach". January 26, 2016 – via www.bbc.com.
- ^ "Mozambique - List of International Matches". www.rsssf.com. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
- ^ "CONVOCATÓRIA DOS MAMBAS". Twitter. @moz_osmambas. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ Mamrud, Roberto. "Mozambique - Record International Players". RSSSF.
External links[]
- Mozambique national football team
- African national association football teams
- National sports teams established in 1975
- 1975 establishments in Mozambique
- Basketball teams established in 1975