Mozambique national football team

Mozambique

Nickname(s)	Os Mambas (The Mambas)
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
First colours Second colours Third colours
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 COSAFA Cup 2008 South Africa 2015 South Africa 1997 Southern Africa 2009 Zimbabwe

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[]

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
	1GK		(1998-09-07) 7 September 1998 (age 23)	11	0	Ferroviário Maputo
	1GK	Víctor Guambe	(1998-10-08) 8 October 1998 (age 23)	10	0	Costa do Sol
	1GK		(1997-03-01) 1 March 1997 (age 24)	0	0	Black Bulls
	2DF	Zainadine Júnior	(1988-06-24) 24 June 1988 (age 33)	59	1	Marítimo
	2DF	Mexer	(1987-09-08) 8 September 1987 (age 34)	51	3	Bordeaux
	2DF	Reinildo Mandava	(1994-01-21) 21 January 1994 (age 27)	29	2	Lille
	2DF	Edmilson Dove	(1994-07-18) 18 July 1994 (age 27)	26	0	Cape Town City
	2DF	Sidique Mussagi	(1993-10-24) 24 October 1993 (age 28)	15	0	Songo
	2DF		(1997-07-04) 4 July 1997 (age 24)	11	1	Marítimo
	2DF		(1998-09-27) 27 September 1998 (age 23)	11	1	Black Bulls
	2DF		(1999-05-09) 9 May 1999 (age 22)	5	0	Black Bulls
	3MF	Domingues	(1983-11-13) 13 November 1983 (age 38)	91	16	Polokwane City
	3MF	Luís Miquissone	(1995-07-25) 25 July 1995 (age 26)	43	9	Al Ahly SC
	3MF	Clésio	(1994-10-11) 11 October 1994 (age 27)	35	5	Marítimo
	3MF	Manuel Kambala	(1991-08-21) 21 August 1991 (age 30)	28	0	Baroka
	3MF	Witi	(1996-08-26) 26 August 1996 (age 25)	24	2	Nacional
	3MF	Gildo Vilanculos	(1995-01-31) 31 January 1995 (age 26)	18	1	Amora
	3MF	Geny Catamo	(2001-01-26) 26 January 2001 (age 20)	11	2	Sporting CP
	3MF	Shaquille	(1997-11-24) 24 November 1997 (age 24)	11	0	Ferroviário Maputo
	3MF	Kamo-Kamo	(1999-07-19) 19 July 1999 (age 22)	10	1	Vitória
	3MF	Geraldo Matsimbe	(1992-10-22) 22 October 1992 (age 29)	8	0	AD Fafe
	4FW	Reginaldo Faife	(1990-06-04) 4 June 1990 (age 31)	31	3	Akzhayik
	4FW	Dayo António	(1988-08-20) 20 August 1988 (age 33)	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		(2002-05-08) 8 May 2002 (age 19)	0	0	Black Bulls	v.  Eswatini; 8 June 2021
DF		(1997-04-18) 18 April 1997 (age 24)	17	0	Costa do Sol	v.  Cameroon; 11 October 2021
DF		(1995-09-18) 18 September 1995 (age 26)	11	0	Vilankulo	v.  Cameroon; 11 October 2021
DF		(1998-02-10) 10 February 1998 (age 23)	11	0	Liga Desportiva de Maputo	v.  Cameroon; 11 October 2021
DF		(1997-10-31) 31 October 1997 (age 24)	9	1	Amora	v.  Malawi; 7 September 2021
DF		(1998-07-07) 7 July 1998 (age 23)	6	0	Desportivo Maputo	v.  Eswatini; 8 June 2021
MF		(1996-12-08) 8 December 1996 (age 25)	16	0	Costa do Sol	v.  Cameroon; 11 October 2021
MF		(1997-10-06) 6 October 1997 (age 24)	10	0	Songo	v.  Malawi; 7 September 2021
MF		(1998-02-27) 27 February 1998 (age 23)	0	0	Ferroviário Nampula	v.  Malawi; 7 September 2021
MF		(1997-11-16) 16 November 1997 (age 24)	5	1	Marítimo	v.  Ivory Coast; 3 September 2021
MF		(2000-07-12) 12 July 2000 (age 21)	1	1	Vitória B	v.  Eswatini; 8 June 2021
MF		(1998-12-12) 12 December 1998 (age 23)	7	0	Ferroviário Maputo	v.  Eswatini; 8 June 2021
MF		(1999-03-10) 10 March 1999 (age 22)	5	0	Ferroviário Beira	v.  Eswatini; 8 June 2021
MF		(1983-08-06) 6 August 1983 (age 38)	2	0	Liga Desportiva	v.  Eswatini; 8 June 2021
FW		(1995-12-01) 1 December 1995 (age 26)	11	3	Liga Desportiva	v.  Cameroon; 11 October 2021
FW		(1997-06-26) 26 June 1997 (age 24)	10	2	Black Bulls	v.  Cameroon; 11 October 2021
FW		(1999-04-04) 4 April 1999 (age 22)	9	1	Black Bulls	v.  Cameroon; 11 October 2021
FW		(1998-12-23) 23 December 1998 (age 23)	3	0	Costa do Sol	v.  Eswatini; 8 June 2021
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 18 July 2021^[7]

Players in bold are still active with Mozambique.

Competitive record[]

FIFA World Cup[]

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										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[]

External links[]

• Federação Moçambicana de Futebol (in Portuguese)
• Mozambique at FIFA.com
• Mozambique at CAF Online
• National football team picture