AFCON 2023: everything you need to know about Mozambique
Discover the essential information on Mozambique ahead of AFCON 2023 in Ivory Coast in January.
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- The country
Capital: Maputo
Area: 786,380 km²
Population: 27,233,789 inhabitants
Official language: Portuguese
Demonym: Mozambicans
Motto: Not known
Team nickname: The Mambas
Titles: 0
Finals: 0
Appearances before AFCON 2023: 4
As hosts: 0
- AFCON record
1986: first round
1996 and 1998: first round
2010: first round
- AFCON summary
12 matches
0 wins
2 draws
10 defeats
4 goals scored
26 goals conceded
- The star: Geny Catamo
Image recovered from a public archive captured on 21/07/2025. The archived file is verified; the current source is unavailable. View archived capture
Born in Maputo, Mozambique, Geny Catamo came through the ranks in his home country. Developed at Maxequene and then the Black Bulls, the 22-year-old winger was spotted in 2018 by Amora FC, a club in the Portuguese 4th division. He spent a season there before joining Sporting Portugal. After a mixed first season with the Greens and Whites, the young Mozambican was loaned to Victória Guimarães and then to CS Marítimo.
Back at Sporting this summer, he has strung together appearances to the point of attracting Europe's big clubs. He has already played 12 games, scoring one goal and providing one assist. At international level, he is one of the most capped young players. After featuring for the U17s and U20s, he was called up to the senior side in 2019. Since then, he has 19 appearances and 4 goals. He is the player to watch at this AFCON 2023.
Read more on the same subject: Ivory Coast-Mozambique cancelled
🚨 EXCLUSIVE 🚨
Arsenal closely tracking Sporting CP winger Geny Catamo
— Football Transfers (@Transfersdotcom) October 31, 2023
Image recovered from a public archive captured on 21/07/2025. The archived file is verified; the current source is unavailable. View archived capture
He is no stranger to the job, having been Mozambique coach in 2011. Back at the helm of the Mambas, the former Maputo coach has guided the team to AFCON after 13 years away. In a group with Senegal, the African champions, Benin and Rwanda, he secured qualification on the final matchday. Mozambique needed a draw and ended up beating Benin (3-2). At 58, he will take part in his first Africa Cup of Nations.
- Mozambique's fixtures in Group A
14 January: Egypt - Mozambique
19 January: Cape Verde - Mozambique
22 January: Mozambique - Ghana