Mozambique national football team

This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Mozambique women's national football team.

Mozambique

Nickname	Os Mambas (The Mambas)
Association	Federação Moçambicana de Futebol (FMF)
Confederation	CAF (Africa)
Sub-confederation	COSAFA (Southern Africa)
Head coach	Chiquinho Conde
Captain	Mexer
Most caps	Domingues (118)
Top scorer	Tico-Tico (30)
Home stadium	Estádio do Zimpeto
FIFA code	MOZ
First colours Second colours Third colours
FIFA ranking
Current	102 1 (19 November 2025)
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
Rhodesia 6–0 Mozambique (Salisbury, Rhodesia; 19 May 1979) Zimbabwe 6–0 Mozambique (Salisbury, Zimbabwe; 20 April 1980)
Africa Cup of Nations
Appearances	6 (first in 1986)
Best result	Group stage (1986, 1996, 1998, 2010, 2023)
African Nations Championship
Appearances	2 (first in 2014)
Best result	Quarter finals (2022)
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 2024 South Africa

The Mozambique national football team (Portuguese: Seleção Moçambicana de Futebol) represents Mozambique in men's international football competitions 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 six Africa Cup of Nations, in 1986, 1996, 1998, 2010, 2023, and most recently 2025, being eliminated in the first round in all five appearances so far. They have also appeared at the African Nations Championship on two occasions where, at the 2022 edition, they claimed their first ever victory and reached the knockout stage of an 11-aside CAF tournament for the first time history. In 1997, the Mozambique Football Federation became a founding member of COSAFA.

Mozambique's home ground is Estádio do Zimpeto in Zimpeto in the capital city Maputo, and can hold 42,000 spectators. The team's current head coach is former player Chiquinho Conde, who became manager in July 2019, replacing previous head coach and former Portugal international Abel Xavier, who had been in charge since February 2016.

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. 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 their first ever goal at the finals 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

The national football team of Mozambique before a game against Tunisia

Armando Sá played six games for Mozambique

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 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 had several close misses when it came to reaching another AFCON Finals. 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 Marrakesh four days later. During the 2019 qualifiers the Mambas were only denied by a Guinea-Bissau equaliser in stoppage time at the end of their final Group K match.

Finally, in 2023, Mozambique qualified for the AFCON for the first time since 2010 after beating Benin 3-2 at home on the final day of qualification. They would finish bottom of their group at the finals, drawing 2-2 with both Egypt and Ghana in their first and last games respectively but losing 3-0 to Cape Verde in between.

Mozambique qualified for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, which is set to be their sixth appearance at the tournament.

Recent results and fixtures

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixture

2025

Mozambique v Uganda

20 March 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification	Mozambique	3–1	Uganda	Cairo, Egypt
15:00 UTC+2	Santons 3', 16' Ratifo 45+3'	Report	Shaban 7'	Stadium: Cairo International Stadium Attendance: 100 Referee: Pierre Ghislain Atcho (Gabon)

Algeria v Mozambique

25 March 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification	Algeria	5–1	Mozambique	Tizi Ouzou, Algeria
22:00 UTC+1	Amoura 8', 30', 80' Mandi 24' Hadjam 65'		Geny Catamo 40'	Stadium: Hocine Aït Ahmed Stadium Attendance: TBD Referee: Pacifique Ndabihawenimana (Burundi)

South Africa v Mozambique

4 June 2025 COSAFA Cup	South Africa	0–1	Mozambique	Bloemfontein, South Africa
15:00 UTC+2		Report	Sumbane 73'	Stadium: Free State Stadium Referee: Arnaud Zafimahatoha (Madagascar)

Mozambique v Mauritius

7 June 2025 COSAFA Cup	Mozambique	0–0	Mauritius	Bloemfontein, South Africa
12:00 UTC+2		Report		Stadium: Dr. Petrus Molemela Stadium Referee: Mweshitsama Naftal (Namibia)

Mozambique v Zimbabwe

10 June 2025 COSAFA Cup	Mozambique	1–3	Zimbabwe	Bloemfontein, South Africa
18:00 UTC+2	Calção 38'	Report	Ngwenya 27', 36' (pen.) Makunike 90+5'	Stadium: Dr. Petrus Molemela Stadium Referee: Godfrey Nkhakananga (Malawi)

Uganda v Mozambique

5 September 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification	Uganda	4–0	Mozambique	Kampala, Uganda
19:00 UTC+3	Okello 48' Mato 70', 84' Capradossi 90'	Report		Stadium: Mandela National Stadium Referee: Vincent Kaboré (Burkina Faso)

Mozambique v Botswana

8 September 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification	Mozambique	2–0	Botswana	Maputo, Mozambique
15:00 UTC+2	Witi 6' Bangal 71'	Report		Stadium: Estádio do Zimpeto Attendance: 20,000 Referee: Bamlak Tessema Weyesa (Ethiopia)

Mozambique v Guinea

9 October 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification	Mozambique	1–2	Guinea	Maputo, Mozambique
18:00 UTC+2	Mandava 19'	Report	Traoré 2', 59'	Stadium: Estádio do Zimpeto Referee: Adissa Abdul Raphiou Ligali (Benin)

Somalia v Mozambique

14 October 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification	Somalia	0–1	Mozambique	Oran, Algeria
17:00 UTC+1		Report	Catamo 6'	Stadium: Miloud Hadefi Stadium Referee: Ahmed Abdulrazg (Libya)

Morocco v Mozambique

14 November Friendly	Morocco	1–0	Mozambique	Tangier, Morocco
20:00 UTC+1	Ounahi 7'	Report		Stadium: Ibn Batouta Stadium Attendance: 60,000 Referee: Moussa Diou (Mauritania)

Chad v Mozambique

17 November Friendly	Chad	2–2	Mozambique	Berrechid, Morocco
16:00 UTC+1	Mouandilmadji 45+2' M. Thiam 90+1' (pen.)	Report	Catamo 79' (pen.) Gildo 90+6'	Stadium: Stade Municipal De Berrechid

Ivory Coast v Mozambique

24 December 2025 AFCON RR	Ivory Coast	v	Mozambique	Marrakesh, Morocco
18:00				Stadium: Marrakesh Stadium

Gabon v Mozambique

28 December 2025 AFCON RR	Gabon	v	Mozambique	Agadir, Morocco
20:30				Stadium: Adrar Stadium

Mozambique v Cameroon

31 December 2025 AFCON RR	Mozambique	v	Cameroon	Agadir, Morocco
20:30				Stadium: Adrar Stadium

Coaching history

Mart Nooij became the manager of Mozambique in 2007

• Cremildo Loforte (1980)
• Manaca (1986)
• José Geneto (1986)
• Viktor Bondarenko (1993–1995)
• Rui Caçador (1996)
• Arnaldo Salvado (1996–1998)
• Euroflim da Graça (1999)
• Arnaldo Salvado (1999–2000)
• Augusto Matine (2001–2002)
• Viktor Bondarenko (2003)
• Artur Semedo (2003–2006)
• Mart Nooij (2007–2011)
• Gert Engels (2011–2013)
• João Chissano (2013–2015)
• Hélder Muianga (2015)
• Boris Pušić (2015)
• Abel Xavier (2016–2019)
• Victor Matine (2019)
• Luís Gonçalves (2019–2021)
• Horácio Gonçalves (2021)
• Chiquinho Conde (2021–present)

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for the friendly matches against Morocco and Chad on 14 and 18 November 2025; respectively.

Caps and goals correct as of 18 November 2025, after the match against Chad.

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
1	1GK	Ernan	(1998-07-09) 9 July 1998	29	0	Black Bulls
12	1GK	Kimiss	(2004-05-08) 8 May 2004	1	0	Marítimo
22	1GK	Ivane Urrubal	(1997-03-01) 1 March 1997	11	0	Songo
2	2DF	Nanani	(1996-02-08) 8 February 1996	26	0	Songo
3	2DF	Nené	(1996-11-15) 15 November 1996	32	1	Black Bulls
4	2DF	Chamboco	(1998-06-15) 15 June 1998	9	0	Black Bulls
5	2DF	Bruno Langa	(1997-10-31) 31 October 1997	33	1	Pafos
8	2DF	Edmilson Dove	(1994-07-18) 18 July 1994	38	0	Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya
14	2DF	Oscar	(2003-03-28) 28 March 2003	0	0	Textáfrica
17	2DF	Mexer	(1987-09-08) 8 September 1987	63	3	Ankara Keçiörengücü
23	2DF	Calila	(1998-10-10) 10 October 1998	4	0	Santa Clara
	2DF	Reinildo Mandava	(1994-01-21) 21 January 1994	44	2	Sunderland
6	3MF	Manuel Kambala	(1991-08-21) 21 August 1991	39	0	Polokwane City
7	3MF	Domingues	(1983-11-13) 13 November 1983	102	16	Songo
11	3MF	Pepo	(1994-03-24) 24 March 1994	13	2	Caldas
15	3MF	Keyns Abdala	(2003-03-15) 15 March 2003	0	0	Chaves
16	3MF	Alfons Amade	(1999-11-12) 12 November 1999	17	1	Dunfermline Athletic
21	3MF	Guima	(1995-11-14) 14 November 1995	20	2	Zira
9	4FW	Faisal Bangal	(1995-01-05) 5 January 1995	10	2	Mestre
10	4FW	Clésio	(1994-10-11) 11 October 1994	55	8	Black Bulls
13	4FW	Stanley Ratifo	(1994-12-05) 5 December 1994	38	9	Chemie Leipzig
18	4FW	Gildo	(1995-01-31) 31 January 1995	36	4	Tadamon Sour
19	4FW	Witi	(1996-08-26) 26 August 1996	41	4	Nacional
20	4FW	Geny Catamo	(2001-01-26) 26 January 2001	38	13	Sporting CP
	4FW	Melque	(1997-06-26) 26 June 1997	26	4	Songo

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
DF	Chico	(1991-11-05) 5 November 1991	41	0	Costa do Sol	v. Botswana, 8 September 2025
DF	Domingos Macandza	(1998-06-17) 17 June 1998	24	0	Black Bulls	v. Algeria, 25 March 2025
MF	João Bonde	(1997-01-09) 9 January 1997	4	0	Ferroviário Beira	v. Somalia, 14 October 2025
MF	Amadú	(1996-03-12) 12 March 1996	32	0	Tanzania Prisons	v. Algeria, 25 March 2025
MF	Shaquille	(1997-11-24) 24 November 1997	41	0	Sagrada Esperança	v. Algeria, 25 March 2025
FW	Ângelo Tomás Cantolo	(2003-05-23) 23 May 2003	1	0	Chingale	v. Somalia, 14 October 2025
FW	Elias Macamo	(1994-01-14) 14 January 1994	8	1	Ferroviário de Maputo	v. Algeria, 25 March 2025
FW	Kélvio Neves	(2005-01-02) 2 January 2005	0	0	Black Bulls	v. Algeria, 25 March 2025
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

See also: Mozambique men's international footballers

As of 19 November 2024

Players in bold are still active with Mozambique.

Most appearances

Rank	Player	Caps	Goals	Career
1.	Domingues Pelembé	118	17	2004–present
2.	Tico-Tico	94	30	1992–2010
3.	Miró Lobo	84	8	2004–2015
4.	Mexer	70	3	2007–present
5.	Sérgio Faife	67	5	1992–2008
6.	João Kapango	66	0	1996–2012
	Nana Matola	66	5	1988–1999
8.	Zainadine Júnior	64	1	2008–present
9.	Momed Hagi	62	3	2005–2015
10.	Telinho	61	4	2011–present

Top goalscorers

Rank	Player	Goals	Caps	Ratio	Career
1.	Tico-Tico	30	94	0.32	1992–2010
2	Domingues Pelembé	17	118	0.14	2004–present
3.	Dário Monteiro	16	48	0.33	1996–2011
4.	Chiquinho Conde	12	43	0.28	1985–2001
5.	Gil Guiamba	11	22	0.5	1980–1983
6.	Geny Catamo	10	33	0.3	2019–present
	Arnaldo Ouana	10	37	0.27	1987–1999
8	Stanley Ratifo	9	40	0.23	2017–present
	Luís Miquissone	9	48	0.19	2015–present
	Clésio	9	56	0.16	2011–present

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup

FIFA World Cup record										Qualification record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA		Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1930 to 1974	Part of Portugal									Part of Portugal
1978	Not a FIFA member									Not a FIFA member
1982	Did not qualify									2	0	0	2	3	7
1986 and 1990	Did not enter									Declined participation
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	11
2018										2	1	0	1	1	1
2022										8	3	1	4	5	8
2026										10	6	0	4	14	17
2030	To be determined									To be determined
2034
Total	–	0/11	–	–	–	–	–	–		52	17	9	26	49	75

Africa Cup of Nations

African Cup of Nations record											Qualification record
Appearances: 6											Appearances: 23
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA	Squad		Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1957	Part of Portugal										Part of Portugal
1959
1962
1963
1965
1968
1970
1972
1974
1976	Not affiliated to CAF										Not affiliated to CAF
1978
1980	Did not enter										Did not enter
1982	Did not qualify										4	1	1	2	11	8
1984											2	1	0	1	3	4
1986	Group stage	8th	3	0	0	3	0	7	Squad		6	2	3	1	8	5
1988	Did not qualify										2	0	1	1	3	4
1990											2	0	0	2	0	4
1992											4	2	0	2	3	3
1994											6	1	3	2	5	7
1996	Group stage	14th	3	0	1	2	1	4	Squad		10	6	2	2	16	8
1998		16th	3	0	0	3	1	8	Squad		6	3	1	2	10	7
2000	Did not qualify										6	2	1	3	6	10
2002											2	1	0	1	1	1
2004											6	2	2	2	3	8
2006											2	0	0	2	3	5
2008											6	2	3	1	5	4
2010	Group stage	15th	3	0	1	2	2	7	Squad		12	4	3	5	10	10
2012	Did not qualify										6	2	1	3	4	6
2013											4	1	2	1	4	6
2015											10	3	5	2	13	7
2017											6	2	1	3	5	7
2019											6	2	2	2	7	7
2021											6	1	1	4	5	10
2023	Group stage	21st	3	0	2	1	4	7	Squad		6	3	1	2	8	9
2025	Group stage	TBD	0	0	0	0	0	0	Squad		6	3	2	1	9	5
2027	To be determined										To be determined
2029
Total	Group stage	6/35	15	0	4	11	8	33	—		126	44	35	47	139	145

African Nations Championship

African Nations Championship record
Appearances: 2
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	Quarter-finals	8th	4	1	1	2	4	6
2024	Did not qualify
Total	Quarter-finals	2/8	6	1	1	5	8	15

COSAFA Cup

Main article: COSAFA Cup

Honours

Regional

• COSAFA Cup
  • Runners-up (2): 2008, 2015
  • Third place (3): 1997, 2009, 2024

External links

• Federação Moçambicana de Futebol (in Portuguese) (archived 21 June 2015)
• Mozambique at CAF
• Mozambique at FIFA
• National football team picture