Mozambique will be returning to the African Cup of Nations after a 13-year absence. The Membas finished 2nd in qualifying Group L behind Senegal. Sport News Africa gives you all you need to know about the Mozambican team.
The country
Capital: Maputo
Surface area: 786,380 km²
Population: 27,233,789
Official language: Portuguese
Inhabitants : Mozambicans
Currency: Not known
Nickname of team: Les Mambas
Mozambique and the AFCON
Title: 0
Final: 0
Appearances prior to AFCON 2023: 4
Host country: 0
AFCON history
1986: First round
1996 and 1998: first round
2010: first round
CAN record
12 matches
0 wins
2 draws
10 defeats
4 goals scored
26 goals conceded
The star: Geny Catamo
Born in Maputo, Mozambique, Geny Catamo did all his training in the country. Trained at Maxequene and then with the Black Bulls, the 22-year-old winger was spotted in 2018 by Amora FC, a Portuguese 4th division club. He spent one season there before signing for Sporting Portugal. After a mixed first season with the Greens and Whites, the young Mozambican was loaned out to Victória Guimarães and then CS Marítimo.
🚨 EXCLUSIVE 🚨
Arsenal closely tracking Sporting CP winger Geny Catamo
— Football Transfers (@Transfersdotcom) October 31, 2023
Having returned to Sporting this summer, he has been making so many appearances that he has attracted some of Europe's top clubs. He has already made 12 appearances, scoring one goal and providing one assist.In the national team, he is one of the most capped youngsters. After playing for the U17s and U20s, he was called up to the senior squad in 2019. Since then, he has made 19 appearances and scored 4 goals. He's the player to watch at AFCON 2023.
The coach: Chiquinho Conde
Chiquinho Conde is no stranger to the game, having coached Mozambique in 2011. Back at the helm of the Mambas, the former Maputo coach managed to qualify the team for the AFCON after a 13-year absence. In a group containing African champions Senegal, Benin and Rwanda, he managed to secure qualification on the final day.Mozambique needed a draw and finally beat Benin (3-2). At the age of 58, he will be playing in his first Africa Cup of Nations.
Mozambique schedule in Group A
January 14: Egypt - Mozambique
January 19: Cape Verde - Mozambique
January 22: Mozambique - Ghana
